Qatar has always stood for protecting human rights and supports all efforts to achieve international peace and security. The country has always stood with international bodies such as the United Nations to attain these goals.
Reflecting the credibility of Qatar’s standing at the global level, recently the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the European Parliament have signed a consultative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the exchange of expertise and consultation between them. This is the first MoU of its kind for the Parliament with a national institution for human rights in the Gulf and Arab countries, underlining the efforts of Qatar in the area of human rights.
The agreement was signed in Brussels by the NHRC President , HE Dr Ali bin Sumaikh Al Marri, and the Chairman of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament, Antonio Panziri. The MoU is one of the most important mechanisms through which the human rights developments in Qatar are implemented and followed up. It will also allow the European Parliament to identify and learn more about the repercussions of the blockade and how to address them.
Qatar today faces an unjust siege for almost a year and unilateral actions that lack any reasonable or credible justification, without regard to the flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and basis of friendly relations among States.
Qatar has always mentioned that the ongoing siege is an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Qatar and has forced it to change its approach as a partner of the international community in the face of common challenges. The wise leadership has time and again stressed that the State of Qatar would not deviate from its policy of respect for international law as a committed partner of the international community to achieve common goals.
The NHRC head has called on the European Parliament to adopt urgent and effective mechanisms and procedures to end the suffering of those affected by the blockade imposed on Qatar. He stressed that after nearly a year after the blockade started, the suffering of the victims continues who no longer trust the statements of condemnation, and are demanding the need for concrete and effective measures to redress them.
The NHRC is always in the forefront of highlighting at various national and international fora the plight of people who suffered under the unjust siege. As Antonio Panzeri said the policy of the siege, whatever its causes and types, has its negative impacts on people and affect human rights, therefore it is incumbent to expose the destructive effects of any violations of these rights to the public opinion.