The State of Qatar has affirmed that the measures taken by the siege countries are clear violation of international law and human rights conventions, especially the rights of children and families who were forced to separate due to these illegal unilateral measures.
This came in a statement delivered by Sarah Mohammed Kamal al-Emadi, a member of Qatar's delegation participating in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The statement was made before the Third Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations on item 68 on "Promotion and protection of the rights of children".
Millions of children still bear the heaviest burden of conflicts, wars and natural disasters that are taking place in our world today in terms of murder, displacement, asylum and recruitment in addition to poverty, hunger and deprivation of their right to education, as well as trafficking and sexual exploitation, the statement said, adding that as an international community it is our responsibility to intensify efforts to protect children everywhere.
The statement stressed the importance of taking advantage of the strategic opportunities provided by the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan which calls for an end to all forms of violence against children.
The issue of promoting and protecting human rights, including the rights of children, is a strategic choice for Qatar as a basis for its development policy, the statement said, adding that this is clearly reflected in the legislative and executive measures taken by the State to protect and promote the rights of children to implement Qatar National Vision 2030 as well as National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and Second National Development Strategy 2017-2022 in addition to family-oriented strategies and in line with the implementation of its commitments to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols.
The statement affirmed that Qatar is working to provide an appropriate environment for healthy growth and development of children through the implementation of many awareness programmes as well as economic and social empowerment for families.
The State of Qatar also provides high quality health and education services free of charge and has established institutions and centres dealing with childhood issues including protection against violence and awareness as well as providing services for children with special needs, the statement added.
In its belief in the importance of international cooperation to achieve the goals of sustainable development, Qatar has allocated a significant share of its international development assistance to the protection and promotion of the rights of children especially in areas affected by armed conflict and natural disasters, the statement said, noting Qatar's special attention to education sector.
Qatar has been able to access educational services to millions of children around the world through initiatives and Education Above All Foundation programmes including Educate A Child (EAC) Initiative which has provided basic education to 6mn children affected by poverty and conflict in more than 40 countries, the statement said.
It added that Qatar contributed to international efforts to promote and protect child's rights through the membership of the Committee on the Rights of the Child for the two periods starting in 2001 until 2009.
The statement further added that the Government of Qatar has continuously strengthened international cooperation to achieve the goals sought by the United Nations and succeeded in providing the appropriate environment that children need in order to grow and develop according to the highest international educational and health standards.
The efforts of the State at the international and national levels were reflected in the UN reports that listed Qatar in the countries that offer the best services in this field.
The statement pointed out that while Qatar continues to seek further progress in this field, its plans hindered by the illegal unilateral measures imposed on Qatar which also affected the lives of thousands of Qatari and non-Qatari children due to the decisions of the countries that imposed such measures and forced families to separation.
The National Human Rights Committee spotted the consequences of the measures taken by the siege countries, in particular the cases of separation between the mother, father and their children depending on the nationality of the father or mother which is a clear violation of international law and human rights conventions, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child which is the main topic of the meeting, the statement said.
The statement stated that although our achievements in the family and child's areas have been hindered due to these illegal unilateral measures, Qatar is determined to continue its efforts to fulfil its legal and moral obligations towards promoting human rights for all sectors of society including children.
In conclusion, the statement reiterated Qatar's commitment to continue its efforts with all concerned parties to enhance cooperation in order to achieve further progress in the promotion and protection of the rights of children, adding that the country is looking forward towards further partnerships and cooperation in this field at the national, regional and international levels.
Related Story