The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) said that there is nothing new in the recent statement made by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj and Umrah on welcoming Qatari citizens and residents to perform Umrah rituals.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NHRC added that Saudi Arabia is just trying to improve its image through this announcement and other statements in this regard. However, these statements have no basis in reality or clear and specific mechanisms to be implemented.
The committee said this confirms the ongoing politicisation of religious rites, which is a clear violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 30 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights (ACHR) and Article 6 of the GCC Human Rights Declaration.
The NHRC stressed that the recent statement made by the Saudi authorities and what was mentioned on Saudi media outlets are only face-saving measures after they drew condemnation for turning away, and humiliating those who tried to go to Makkah to perform Umrah during the year.
The NHRC reiterated its demands to allow Qatari citizens and residents to perform their religious rituals, especially as only two months are left for the Haj.
The committee stressed the need for the Saudi authorities to agree with Qatar's Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs on clear and specific mechanisms to facilitate Haj and Umrah for Qatari nationals and residents.
The NHRC has demanded the opening of an electronic registration of pilgrims from Qatar and providing them with visas through the embassy of Oman in Doha, as well as opening the borders between the two countries taking into account of humanitarian cases and residents of low income, direct flights from and to Qatar from Saudi Arabia for those wishing to perform Haj and Umrah, allowing financial transfers between Qatari Haj and Umrah companies and Saudi Haj and Umrah agents and the use of the Qatari currency in Saudi Arabia.
The NHRC welcomed the global support for Qatar’s position, the UN Special Rapporteur’s call for freedom of religion or belief and the statement issued by Amnesty International in June 5, 2018 on Saudi Arabia’s decision to prevent Qatari pilgrims from performing their religious rituals.
The NHRC called on international organisations to intensify efforts to end the injustice meted out to Qatari pilgrims and the politicisation of religious rituals.
Despite the silence of the regional institutions, including the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, the Arab League, the Gulf Co-operation Council and the Muslim World League, the NHRC said it will continue its international efforts to condemn and hold Saudi authorities accountable for these violations.
The committee added that it will spare no effort in resorting to all legal proceedings to sue the Saudi authorities for the psychological damage caused to individuals and the material losses suffered by pilgrimage offices.
The committee said this confirms the ongoing politicisation of religious rites, which is a clear violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 30 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights (ACHR) and Article 6 of the GCC Human Rights Declaration.
The NHRC stressed that the recent statement made by the Saudi authorities and what was mentioned on Saudi media outlets are only face-saving measures after they drew condemnation for turning away, and humiliating those who tried to go to Makkah to perform Umrah during the year.
The NHRC reiterated its demands to allow Qatari citizens and residents to perform their religious rituals, especially as only two months are left for the Haj.
The committee stressed the need for the Saudi authorities to agree with Qatar's Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs on clear and specific mechanisms to facilitate Haj and Umrah for Qatari nationals and residents.
The NHRC has demanded the opening of an electronic registration of pilgrims from Qatar and providing them with visas through the embassy of Oman in Doha, as well as opening the borders between the two countries taking into account of humanitarian cases and residents of low income, direct flights from and to Qatar from Saudi Arabia for those wishing to perform Haj and Umrah, allowing financial transfers between Qatari Haj and Umrah companies and Saudi Haj and Umrah agents and the use of the Qatari currency in Saudi Arabia.
The NHRC welcomed the global support for Qatar’s position, the UN Special Rapporteur’s call for freedom of religion or belief and the statement issued by Amnesty International in June 5, 2018 on Saudi Arabia’s decision to prevent Qatari pilgrims from performing their religious rituals.
The NHRC called on international organisations to intensify efforts to end the injustice meted out to Qatari pilgrims and the politicisation of religious rituals.
Despite the silence of the regional institutions, including the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, the Arab League, the Gulf Co-operation Council and the Muslim World League, the NHRC said it will continue its international efforts to condemn and hold Saudi authorities accountable for these violations.
The committee added that it will spare no effort in resorting to all legal proceedings to sue the Saudi authorities for the psychological damage caused to individuals and the material losses suffered by pilgrimage offices.