The State of Qatar yesterday expressed  its concern regarding the US Senate’s passing of a bill that allows victims of September 11 to sue governments of foreign countries in US courts. The act is called “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism”.
The head of the media office in Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the piece of legislation violated international law, particularly the principle of sovereign equality between states.
The  official said that the passed bill represented a dangerous precedent. He added that such a bill would have dangerous implication on relations between states.
He said that Qatar was looking for the US administration to take the necessary measure to prevent Congress from passing the bill, in order to maintain the joint interest of the United States and other countries.
The GCC also expressed  its concern regarding the bill. The GCC said it “contravenes the foundations and principles of relations between states, notably sovereign immunity”.
GCC secretary-general Dr Abdul Latif al-Zayani said that passing such a flawed bill would have a negative impact on relations between the Gulf states and the United States. He added that the piece of legislation could cause damage to the global economy.
In a statement yesterday, Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Ghait criticised the bill, saying  that it did not correspond with the United Nations’ principles nor the foundations of international laws among nations.
He expressed the hope that the US administration would retract this “shameful” law which would have serious repercussions and negative impact on the region.
Aboul Ghait voiced Arab League’s “clear and firm” position that rejects and condemns terrorism in all its forms.
The US House of Representatives passed the “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism” Act by a unanimous voice vote on Friday. The Senate already approved the bill four months ago and it now goes before President Barack Obama.
The White House has signalled that Obama is likely to veto the bill but his veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both Houses.