Qatari FM: Doha’s blockade violates human rights
By Kamila Aliyeva
The rift between Qatar and four Arab states is deepening while Qatar’s foreign minister visits UN Human Rights Council in an attempt to gain support from international community.
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the blockade of his country as a violation of human rights.
This position was outlined in a speech at the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 10.
"Qatar is experiencing all signs of an international blockade - sea and air, and all this has a negative impact on trade and investment in the country. Naturally, we perceive this as a violation of human rights," he said.
Al Thani emphasized that the three-month blockade on Qatar is violating its civil, social and economic rights.
"There is a violation of the right to work, including the right to work for those people who were employed in Qatar as they were forced to return to their countries," the minister said, adding that property rights are also violated.
He also called on the world community "to show moral and legal responsibility to prevent a deepening of the gap between the governments of the countries of the region."
Qatar is ready for a dialogue with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, but subject to its compliance with international law and respect for the sovereignty of countries, the minister noted while commenting on his visit to the UN Human Rights Council, RIA Novosti reported.
"The position of Qatar remains the same. We are ready to talk with them, we are ready to communicate on terms that do not violate international law and which respect the sovereignty of countries," he said.
As a result of the blockade on the part of the four Gulf states, the rights of some 26,000 people have been violated, according to Al-Thani.
"We are here to see serious results regarding the countries that are blocking us," he added, commenting on his visit to the UN Human Rights Council.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain in June cut off diplomatic relations, severed air, land and sea links with Qatar, accusing the latter of supporting terrorism, and ordered Qatari citizens to leave their countries within two weeks. A number of other states joined the decision later.
In early July, the Arab states sent a list of demand and required Doha to cut diplomatic relations with Iran, close the Turkish military base, eliminate Al-Jazeera TV channel, stop funding terrorist organizations, interfering in foreign countries’ affairs and supporting opposition forces. Doha refused to fulfill these requirements calling the list unrealistic and not actionable saying that they violate the sovereignty of the country.
Last week, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain issued a joint statement following the talks between the Emir of Kuwait and the US president, where they noted that the only way to settle relations with Qatar is to fulfill Doha's 13 demands, including termination of terrorism funding and interfering in the affairs of others states.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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