November 25, 2018

– States of the blockade practiced the most severe violations and violence against Qatari and Gulf women

– Thousands of women are deprived of their right to reunite their children and their husbands, under the pretext of political differences!

– Compelling women to leave their spouses and children forcibly is the most serious and egregious violation

– Some Governments and international organizations remain silent, or are content to be complacent about the violence of the countries of the blockade against women

Doha:

Ms. Maryam Bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Committee, called on the international community and international human rights institutions to take effective and strong measures to end the violence against Qatari and Gulf women. forcibly separating women from their husbands and children by the countries of the blockade, is the most serious and gross violation of women’s rights.

In a speech marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Ms. Mariam Bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah said in a press statement: “While the international community is making vigorous efforts; many conventions and laws that protect women from violence against them have resulted in Women in Qatar and the Gulf States celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women while they are subjected to the most severe forms of moral, psychological and physical violence against thousands of women in Qatar and the countries of the blockade itself, as a result of an unjust blockade that violates the human rights guaranteed by religions, Depriving many women of their right to be with their children and their husbands, on the pretext of political disputes! “.

“It is very regrettable that governments and international organizations have been silent, or are content to be complacent about the violence resulting from an unjust blockade, that has made women victims of serious violations of the blockade, which has, and continues to deprive many mothers and in Qatar and the countries of the blockade to exercise their right to reunite with their families and force many of them to be separate from their husbands and children forcibly, in addition to students who have been deprived of completing their education in the blockading countries and many women and girls who have been denied access to treatment, due to the arbitrary and unjust measures imposed by the blockading countries, as it represents a flagrant violation of international laws and charters of human rights.

Commitment to fight violence and defend women’s rights

Mrs. Mariam Bint Abdullah Al Attiyah stressed that the NHRC will continue to strive to combat all forms of violence against women, while at the same time emphasizing the steps taken by the Qatari government to protect women from various forms of violence, including the ratification to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 2009 and its keenness to provide family support services, and the establishment of the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Children and Women, the Family Counseling Center, and other social institutions concerned with the protection of Qatari and Qatari women’s rights in Qatar .

Al Attiyah referred to the promulgation of the Family Code in 2006, the Law on the establishment of family courts and the procedures for litigation before them, as well as a continuous review of national legislation and the amendment of some of its provisions to provide maximum protection for members of society; this is in addition to the promulgation of Law No. 15 of 2017 on regulating the rights of domestic workers including working hours, weekly holidays and means to protect women workers from violence.

“The observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is yet another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the defend and protect women’s rights. In its recommendations and reports, the National Human Rights Committee recommends that the Qatari government continues to develop and protect women’s rights and address all shortcomings that may impede women’s participation in and contribution to the development of society, in our belief in the fundamental role of women in the success of any civilizational project”, Al Attiyah added.

NHRC’s role to counter Violence

“The National Human Rights Committee is a quasi-judicial body, in accordance with international standards, whose mission is to receive complaints and grievances and to find solutions to it, including women subjected to violence. The NHRC is keen to prevent the spread of violence in society through proactive steps, including organizing educational and awareness workshops in schools, universities and health care centers, as well as places of detention. The NHRC also conduct field studies to monitor the awareness of various groups of society about the seriousness of the phenomenon of violence, such as a survey of 1,000 male and female citizens on the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, The results reflected the awareness among the groups of society, and their rejection of violence against women and violence of all kinds.

Achievements of Qatari women ..

“Celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is also an occasion to advocate for the achievements made by Qatari women, especially in the field of education, and holding the highest posts such as the appointment of four women – For the first time – as members of the Shura Council, and the appointment of a spokeperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Qatari government has taken a positive step towards the appointment of four women to the Shura Council, with the Emiri Decree No. 22 of 2017, which included the appointment of four Qatari women as members of the council,” Al attiyah said.

“In education, Qatar has achieved the principle of equal access to primary and secondary education, as well as social security. The compulsory education law has contributed to higher enrollment rates in primary education, which is an indicator of equal opportunities for male and female enrollment in schools, according to Qatar’s fourth Human Development Report. Qatari women also have full freedom to participate in cultural life and sports, to attend and participate in all artistic and sporting events, and to receive full support and encouragement,” concluded the Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee.