Pier Antonio Panzeri: We are committed to bringing the issue of violations resulting from the blockade imposed on Qatar into the European Parliament

The State of Qatar has taken great steps to protect workers’ rights

Hearing of Dr. Al Marri in the European Parliament will be before Ramadan

Doha: April 8, 2018

*A consultative agreement between the European Parliament and the NHRC

The National Human Rights Committee hosted a press conference by Mr. Pier Antonio Panzeri, president of the Sub-Committee on Human rights of the European Parliament. During the press conference, Panzeri stressed his commitment to bring the issue of violations resulting from the blockade imposed on Qatar before the European Parliament and holding a hearing for Dr. Ali Ben Smaikh Al Marri, president of the National Human Rights Committee before the European Parliament before next Ramadan, pointing out that the effects of the blockade are devastating and cannot be accepted. He also praised the steps taken by Qatar in the field of protection of human rights, stressing at the same time the agreement with the President of the National Human Rights Committee to conclude a consultative agreement for the exchange of information and data. Panzeri explained that this press conference came after a series of meetings with a number of victims of the blockade imposed on Qatar since June 5, and representatives of communities, in addition to the talks with HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar, and meetings with Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri, president of the National Human Rights Committee, and a number of ministries and officials other bodies. Panzeri added that the State of Qatar has taken great strides in favor of workers’ rights, stating that “I came to Doha at the invitation of the National Human Rights Committee, and I think the visit is useful because it allowed me to get acquainted with the facts. It was a very positive visit through meetings with the National Human Rights Committee, Representatives of communities, meetings with various ministries, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.”

Panzeri noted that his visit came to ascertain the current situation of workers’ rights as the preparations for the 2022 World Cup continue, “we have recognized the great steps that have been accomplished and what will be accomplished, in particular Qatar’s signing of agreements with the ILO on following up the social rights of workers, domestic workers and workers in general, and provides workers with the possibility of complaint before the courts, which are positive developments. The National Human Rights Committee has been accredited status “A” by the GANHRI. I believe that the positive points must be accompanied by complementary requirements relating to the various conventions. We are aware that the work is in progress. We would like to pay more attention to see real implementation and respond positively. We commend Qatar’s accession to the United Nations Protocol to Combat Discrimination and Violence against Women and the possibility of granting it its nationality to its citizens. We believe that Qatar should sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to be the first Arab country to sign the Convention”.

* The effects of the blockade are devastating

On his conclusions about the repercussions of the blockade imposed on Qatar, the president of the president of the Sub-Committee on Human rights of the European Parliament: “We had discussions, and we met many people suffer the consequences of damage caused by the blockade. Apart from the political considerations that may arise and the differences, in my view the policies of the blockade have negative effects on people.” He added: “I listened to the statements of those affected by the blockade, and we will bring the discussions that we have brought to the European Parliament, as well as all the human rights concerns related to Qatar. The effects on the people due to the blockade are clear and we will put them at the center of the discussions of the European Parliament.”

* A consultative agreement between the European Parliament and the NHRC

On the other hand, the President of the president of the Sub-Committee on Human rights of the European Parliament, Panziri, said that the discussions he had with Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri, president of the National Human Rights Committee, were very important and positive, and we agreed on the need for continued cooperation. The signing of a cooperation agreement between the European Parliament and the National Human Rights Committee will be signed later, and probably before the month of Ramadan, allowing the use of exchange of information and data between the parties. He added: After the end of my visit to Doha, I will have an opportunity to open discussions in the Sub-Commission on Human Rights in the European Parliament on the conclusions, and we can say that we have reached a bilateral agreement serves the parties and this is our goal.

* Hearing in the European Parliament before Ramadan

Regarding the next step to be taken by the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament, Panziri said: ” I do not have the authority to carry out a political process, and politically there are qualified people and I hope they will solve the crisis. The commitment we have taken during the visit is to organize in the coming weeks a joint hearing in the European Parliament in the presence of Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al Marri, president of the National Human Rights Committee, To discuss the implications of the blockade.

There will be a hearing in the European Parliament for the National Human Rights Committee, the goal is to exchange ideas and discuss the implications of the blockade within the European Parliament before Ramadan. To organize this meeting.

* A delegation from the EU-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group

On the possibility of dispatching a European parliamentary mission in the future to investigate the effects of the blockade, the president of the Sub-Commission on Human Rights in the European Parliament revealed that there will be a visit to Doha of the EU-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Group in the coming weeks, expressing his hope to be a fruitful visit.

* The rights of the victims of the blockade do not fall

The president of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament noted that all persons who have been deprived of their rights and who have been victims of the blockade on Qatar are entitled to claim their rights over time.
In response to a question on the importance of the visit of the parliamentary and human rights delegations, Panziri said: “our duty is to expose these violations to the public opinion. Qatar’s message will be much stronger as reforms continue, with both tracks supporting each other”.