‘Blockade led to many human rights violations’
QATAR on Wednesday reaffirmed that the unjust blockade and unilateral coercive measures imposed on the State, which entered its fourth year, caused numerous human rights violations documented in detail by the technical mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and many international human rights organisations.
Qatar also stressed that, given the persistence of the numerous violations as well as the absence of a solution in the near future, it hopes the OHCHR will inform the State of the steps it intends to take to stop the violations, hold those responsible accountable, and prevent their recurrence.
This came in a speech delivered by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva HE Ambassador Ali bin Khalfan Al Mansouri during the interactive dialogue on the annual report by the OHCHR and oral update on the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
He said the coronavirus pandemic that swept the world has represented a great challenge for all, stressing that all precautionary measures must be aimed at protecting public health.
He emphasised the need to strengthen international solidarity and respect for human rights in the response and recovery stages after the crisis.
He stressed Qatar’s keenness to provide free tests and healthcare services to everyone who lives on its land, adding that a gesture by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani pardoning 500 prisoners was made with their health and humanitarian conditions in mind, noting that great efforts were made to protect migrant workers during the coronavirus crisis as employers were obliged to pay wages, while a service to receive labour complaints was launched.
Ambassador Mansouri pointed out that at the international level, despite the illegal blockade imposed on Qatar and the closure of airspace, land and sea by the blockading countries, Qatar and its institutions have responded to the calls to curb the effects of the pandemic and provided various types of medical and logistical support to many countries.
He said Qatar supports many health organisations and institutions working to develop vaccines and ensure the resilience of health care in other countries, pointing out that a contribution of $140 million has been made to these organisations.
The diplomat thanked the OHCHR for its statement to the Council at this session.