HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, has called on the GCC secretary-general, during a meeting with members of the US Congress, to assume his responsibilities in dealing with the humanitarian crisis resulting from the continued blockade imposed on for 1,000 days.

Al-Marri said that the NHRC was more than ready to hand the new secretary-general comprehensive reports on the impacts of the blockade and the human suffering it has caused for 1,000 days, expressing hope that they would end immediately regardless of the efforts to resolve the crisis politically.

In a statement on the sidelines of a work visit to US capital Washington, al-Marri expressed the hope that the new GCC secretary-general can play a part in resolving the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, in line with his responsibilities dictated by the GCC's rules of procedures.

He also called on him to rectify to the complete failure of GCC and Arab mechanisms in redressing the victims since the blockade was imposed on them in June 2017. He added that the NHRC was ready to co-operate with the GCC secretary-general by presenting a report on the impact of the blockade and systemic violations of the human rights of citizens and residents of Qatar and the Gulf.

He stressed that the blockade will scar the history of the GCC forever, due to its negative humanitarian implications on the region's society and citizens who were shocked at their official institutions' inability to resolve the crisis and end the injustice.

He said that the GCC must reconsider its rights system following the failure regardless of the progress of negotiations.

HE Dr al-Marri emphasised that members of the US House of Representatives had addressed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to urge him to act and take effective and immediate measures to end the blockade imposed on Qatar and put an end to the grave violations affecting citizens and residents of Qatar.

He pointed out that the congressmen expressed their dissatisfaction and rejection of the continuation of punitive measures that affect civilians in Qatar and depriving them of their basic rights, under the pretext of a political dispute.

As part of his series of official meetings in Washington, HE Dr al-Marri met several members of the US House of Representatives. He met Congressman Tim Burchett, the oldest member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organisations; Congressman Billy Long, the co-chair of the US-Qatar strategic relations assembly; Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, member of US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Congressman Jim Langevin, member of the US House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Rick Larsen, member of the US House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Eric Swalwell former presidential candidate and member of the US House Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernisation and Readiness; Congressman Adam Smith, Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee.

Also, HE Dr al-Marri also met with Congressman Alan Lowenthal, an executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. He thanked him for the commission's positions, calling on the Commission to take more moves and educating the American community about the implications of the blockade imposed on Qatar.

During his meetings with the members of the US House of Representatives, HE Dr al-Marri presented an overview of the repercussions of the blockade, warning of the grave consequences resulting from the continued human suffering of thousands of citizens and residents, not only in Qatar but in all the GCC countries.

Responding to questions from members of the US House of Representatives about the actions of NHRC, HE Dr al-Marri provided an overview of the efforts being made in the judicial and legal tracks, pointing out that the NHRC is committed to its promises to the victims not to renounce the prosecution and condemnation of the blockading states until the victims are compensated and redressing the victims.

He added the people of Qatar have lived through 1,000 days of violations against the Gulf people, 1,000 days of intransigence in harming the citizens and residents, and 1,000 days of reprisals and collective punishments that the blockade countries failed to find a justification for, except for the pretext of revenge from Qatar under the pretext of political differences. He added that it's hard to count the harm and suffering of the people of the region as a result of revenge decisions of the blockading countries that are trying to cover up their failure by punishing civilians who are not guilty of a political dispute between governments.

On the expected role of the House of Representatives of the US Congress to stop the suffering of those affected by the embargo, HE Dr al-Marri said that the representatives of parliaments in the world have a great responsibility to defend people who are subject to serious violations of their rights. He explained that he visited the US repeatedly to raise the alarm and talk about the continuation of these violations, calling on them to make more efforts to urge the US administration to take effective measures and pressure the blockading countries to stop their violations that have lasted for 1,000 days.

He concluded by saying that NHRC looks forward to a greater role for the world's parliaments to put an end to human rights violations, stressing complete confidence that the legal measures taken before international bodies will inevitably lead to international condemnation and compensation to the victims.