*Al-Marri demands monitoring of implementation of ICJ ruling by UAE
HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri has called for extensive investigations into the "gross and systematic" violations committed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the citizens and residents of Qatar.
He also underlined the importance of monitoring the implementation of the International Court of Justice's ruling by the UAE authorities such as allowing those affected by the blockade to sue in UAE courts and reuniting families separated by the siege. He also wanted Abu Dhabi to allow Qatari students to complete their studies at UAE universities or other universities, as directed by the ICJ.
This came during a number of meetings held by the NHRC Chairman in Geneva on the sidelines of the 39th session of the Human Rights Council last week. Among those Dr al-Marri met were members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Working Group on Arbitrary Disappearance, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Middle East and North Africa, a number of permanent delegates to the Human Rights Council and the head of the European Mission to the council.
During the meetings, Dr al-Marri explained the dimensions of the preliminary decision of the ICJ, calling for monitoring the implementation by the UAE of UN human rights mechanisms. He stressed the NHRC is monitoring the enforcement of the ICJ ruling through its mechanisms. He pointed out that not only the UAE but the other siege countries also have been taking discriminatory measures against Qataris.
Commenting on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the arbitrary and unilateral measures he reviewed before the Human Rights Council last Wednesday, the NHRC chief said: "Although the report acknowledged in paragraphs 9 and 10 the illegality of actions taken by siege countries, and supported the positions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the recent decisions of the International Court of Justice, as well as its acknowledgment of the continued siege, it did not appreciate the extent of the suffering of the victims and it was not as strict as hoped. We call upon the Special Rapporteur on arbitrary measures to act urgently and take firmer and bolder positions against the siege countries, and we invite him to visit Qatar and the siege countries to find out the serious repercussions on human rights resulting from the blockade."
During his meeting with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Dr al-Marri stressed that the NHRC has been following up and monitoring the UAE's compliance of the ICJ's decisions on interim measures. He called on the committee to carry out extensive investigations into the UAE's discriminatory violations and to monitor the enforcement of the ICJ decisions.
He also provided the committee with reliable information and strong evidence for the occurrence of serious discriminatory violations and systematic campaigns by Saudi Arabia and the rest of the siege countries against the Qatari nationals and residents.
Dr al-Marri also provided the committee with all the files that represent a clear condemnation of Saudi Arabia by international organisations recognised for their integrity and professionalism, led by the United Nations itself.
He called on the committee to monitor and record violations of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in its report to the Human Rights Council and to issue an urgent call to the siege countries to respect the human rights conventions and charters, particularly the recommendations and decisions contained in the six letters of the Special Rapporteurs of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the siege countries.
