Rights promotion, protection strategic choice for Qatar: FM

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that the promotion and protection of human rights are strategic choices for Qatar which state has been working to achieve by laying their foundations at the national level as well as through regional and international efforts.
In a statement before the 31st regular session of the Human Rights Council, HE the Foreign Minister said the State of Qatar had adopted several legislative measures related to the promotion and protection of human rights, including, the issuance of Law No. 1 of 2015 amending some provisions of the Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 and Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit, and residence of expatriates. These legislations, he said, have strengthened the constitutional and legal protection for the foreign workers’ rights in accordance with international standards and obligations under international conventions to which Qatar is party.
“I wish to pay tribute to the significant role played by the expatriate workers in the development of the State of Qatar, and to stress in this regard that the State of Qatar is keen on promoting and protecting their rights and providing them with suitable work environment,” said HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
In its efforts to enhance the institutional framework for human rights, Qatar issued Law No. 12 of 2015 with a view to ensuring greater independence of the National Human Rights Committee its members as well as to ensure them further safeguards and guarantees in line with Paris Principles, he said, pointing out that the state is currently working on a national plan for human rights in accordance with the Cabinet decision issued in 2014.
In the framework of Qatar’s efforts to contribute effectively to international efforts aimed at promoting human rights and peace and security, the Foreign Minister said Qatar hosted several major international conferences and events of interest to the region, including a regional conference on “UNHCR’s role in the promotion and protection Human Rights in the Arab region” last January.
He described the adoption of the sustainable development agenda in 2030 recently as fundamental turning point in international development efforts.
Qatar, he said, attaches great importance to international co-operation and is going to implement a number of programmes to enable many developing countries to catch up with the development process as part of its efforts and enforcement of development goals.
With regard to national development, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that Qatar citizens are the top priority in accordance with the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, adding that this is enshrined in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Strategy 2011-2016.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar topped Arab countries and came in 32nd place in the Human Development Report issued by the UN Development Programme in December 2015.
He stressed Qatar’s commitment to continue co-operation with the council as the best and most appropriate mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights, and to support its efforts to effectively and professionally fulfil its mandate and role.
He stressed that human rights challenges are growing all over the world despite the passing of nearly a decade since the Human Rights Council was created.
Addressing the session, HE the Foreign Minister said that despite efforts of the Human Rights Council, the situation of human rights is not better that it was upon the establishment of the council, adding that occupation, tyranny and racial discrimination remain sources of human rights violations.
HE the minister referred to his speech before the council last March when he said that if tackling human rights violations is not effective and firm enough, the world will witness more violence, extremism and conflicts.
He said that the continuing Israeli occupation of Arab territories is a stain of shame for humanity as Israel continues its illegal policies, arbitrary arrests, the siege of the Gaza Strip since 2007, the expansion of settlements, repeated and systematic attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque, the destruction of schools, and the inappropriate treatment of prisoners and detainees.
The minister said the Israeli policies constitute flagrant challenge to the will of the international group and violates the international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, adding that Qatar is constantly exerting efforts to alleviate the suffering of Gaza residents through the reconstruction of the strip.
He called on the international society, the Security Council in particular, to shoulder its legal and ethical responsibilities in taking the necessary measures to end the unjust siege of Gaza, provide protection for the Palestinian people, compel Israel to end its occupation of the Arab territories, achieve comprehensive and just peace that remains a strategic choice in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.
HE the Foreign Minister added that civilians are usually the victims of wars and violent conflicts, expressing sorrow over the death of more than 300,000 Syrians, mostly women, children and elders, and the displacement of over 12mn people internally and abroad at the hands of a regime that exceeded all red lines.
He said that failing to punish the culprits of these crimes makes the international community lose its credibility in establishing criminal justice and raises doubts about the effectiveness of the protection of civilians and the preservation of human rights.
He stressed the necessity of reaching a peaceful solution that achieves the legitimate ambitions of the Syrian people according to the Geneva I Communique and the establishment of a transitional government with absolute executive powers.
HE the Foreign Minister said Qatar is an active player in the implementation of the UN counter-terrorism strategy, and continues to emphasise the need to reach a comprehensive agreement that includes a definition of terrorism and does not link it to any religion, race or culture with a clear distinction between terrorism and the legitimate right of peoples to fight for freedom and independence.
HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said Qatar is committed to promoting freedom of expression and the right to inform, stressing that Doha refuses to use that right as a means to justify the incitement of hatred and resentment.