Unjust blockade deepens human suffering: NHRC

THE National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has underscored that the continuation of the unjust blockade of Qatar and the accompanying arbitrary measures for the third year in a row deepen the immense humanitarian suffering being endured by citizens and residents of Qatar and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The NHRC said it has so far received 4,275 complaints relating to human rights violations as a result of the unjust blockade.

In a statement, the NHRC said the blockading countries continue to target the people and tearing the Gulf social fabric, in flagrant violation of international human rights conventions, despite the international appeals made by organisations, parliaments and governments across the world.

“The lack of response by the blockading countries to the Gulf mediation and rejection of international and regional efforts to resolve the crisis is only a pretext to perpetuate violations and inflict harm on their people,” the statement added.

The NHRC also deplored the failure of the Gulf system to address the adverse impacts of the humanitarian crisis of the unjust blockade.

The NHRC reiterated its position calling for the immediate cessation of grave violations and putting an end to the suffering of the victims and ensure redress for them prior to initiation of any political solutions.

The NHRC said disregarding the issue to end injustice and compensate the victims will inevitably lead to widening the gap, tearing the Gulf fabric and losing confidence in the Gulf system.

The NHRC called upon the GCC Secretary-General to assume its responsibilities and expeditiously address the humanitarian implications of the crisis prior to initiation of any political solutions.

THE National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) called upon Qatar to continue moving forward and recalled its obligation to protect the rights of victims and not to waive claims for reparations under any circumstance or pressure by any party.

The committee commended the positions of international human rights organisations in documenting violations and condemning the blockading countries, particularly the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Parliament in condemning the blockading countries.