The State of Qatar stressed that the protection and promotion of human rights is a strategic choice and is one of the cornerstones of Qatar National Vision 2030.
In a speech delivered at the Human Rights Council, Geneva, Maha Al-Mu'adadi, the Second Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar, said the state of emergency law is an exceptional law issued by governments when they are subjected to circumstances that are unusual. In accordance with international human rights charters, there are rights that cannot be disrupted during the emergency law, she added.
She also wondered how it is possible to strike a balance between the preservation of fundamental rights and freedoms on one hand and the need to confront threats and dangers facing the state under emergency situations.
The Qatari Constitution, she pointed out, "stipulates that the Emir may declare martial law in the country in the event of exceptional cases specified by the law; and in such cases, he may take all urgent necessary measures to counter any threat that undermine the safety of the State, the integrity of its territories or the security of its people and interests or obstruct the organs of the State from performing their duties. The decree must specify the nature of such exceptional cases for which the martial laws have been declared and clarify the measures taken to address this situation and that the Advisory Council shall be notified of this decree within the fifteen days following its issue. Martial laws shall be declared for a limited period and the same shall not be extended unless approved by the Advisory Council."
Maha Al-Mu'adadi said that the State of Qatar considers the protection and promotion of human rights a strategic option and this is reflected in the provisions and principles of the Constitution and national legislation that are consistent with international human rights instruments, as well as the additional guarantee provided by the Constitution that provisions pertaining to rights and public liberties may not be subject to amendment save for the purpose of granting more rights and guarantees.
