Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar has emphasized that protecting civilians in armed conflicts is a top priority on national, regional, and international levels.
Qatar has adopted a comprehensive strategy aimed at preventing conflicts, mitigating their effects, and engaging in mediation and peace-building efforts globally. This strategy is rooted in a firm commitment to international law, which are integrated into Qatari national law.
This commitment was highlighted in a statement by H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, during an Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict at the UNSC.
Despite a century of legal provisions for civilian protection, conflicts continue to increase, causing catastrophic humanitarian impacts, particularly on women and children. There is a notable deterioration in respect for these legal frameworks worldwide, challenging the effectiveness of international law.
An example of this is the ongoing Israeli occupation and aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has led to severe humanitarian disasters for the Palestinian people. The aggression has included forced displacement, starvation, collective punishment, and attacks on humanitarian and medical workers, with threats of expanding the ongoing Israeli military action in Rafah.
Qatar has strongly condemned these actions, calling for urgent international intervention to prevent further atrocities and ensure full protection for civilians as mandated by international law.
The Qatari call comes at the time death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,800 martyrs in addition to 80,011 injured, while thousands more injured and many bodies still unrecovered Qatar continues its humanitarian efforts in Gaza, facilitating a temporary humanitarian truce in partnership with Egypt and the United States, and will remain committed to achieving a permanent ceasefire, the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid, and the protection of civilians Sheikha Alya stressed.
Qatar’s highlighting of the issue of civilian protection comes ahead of the upcoming Future Summit in September 2024 and in the review of the UN’s peace-building structure which will focus on civilian protection.
Qatar has also prioritized the protection of education in conflict zones. Since 2010, under the guidance of the Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Qatar has championed the right to education in emergencies at the UN General Assembly. This led to a groundbreaking resolution affirming the right to education during crises, urging states to respect and protect education facilities, teachers, and students.
In recognition of these efforts, the international community observes September 9 as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, based on a Qatari resolution adopted in 2020.
