The Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Dr Ali bin Sumaikh Al Marri, called on the international community to do more to lift the siege enforced on the State of Qatar. He also called on them to support the victims of the siege and avoid using humanitarian issues as a political pressure tool or a negotiation tactic.
At a press conference here yesterday, he called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to send a delegation in the near future to study the violations that came as a result of the siege. He noted that the NHRC would appoint an international law firm to prepare cases that will demand reparation for the siege's victims, in accordance with human rights declarations and agreements.
He added that if these countries continue with their violations and the siege, the NHRC will demand the establishment of an international fact-finding committee. He stressed that the NHRC will work with a number of international organisations in this regard.
He noted that the committee will also make complaints to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for violations of the right to education. These complaints will be made to seek justice for Qatari students who were kicked out of those countries, and two students of the three countries who have been asked to leave their places of study in the State of Qatar.
Al Marri also called on the UN Human Rights Council to condemn the violations resulting from the siege. He also called on the council's special rapporteurs to take the necessary measures in this regard and investigate the violations.
He also called on international organisations and media outlets to shed light on the tragedies resulting from the siege.
He stressed that the countries must lift the siege as it contradicts all international declarations and agreements for human rights.
The severe violations not only affected the rights of Qatari citizens, but also the civil, economic, social, and cultural rights of non-Qataris.
Al Marri described these unilateral moves and the siege as a collective punishment and an international crime that touched the lives of many segments of the society.
He presented different types of violations that took place. The chairman of NHRC also provided statistics of the humanitarian implications of the siege. He noted that the committee communicates daily with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and many designated international organisations.
The committee also got in touch with 300 international and regional organisations to provide them with detailed information on the conditions of the victims.
