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OIC Condemns Israel Decision to Bar 37 Aid Groups from GazaEU says Israel suspending GazaThe UN rights chief described Wednesday Israel's threat to suspend dozens of aid groups from operating in Gaza from January as "outrageous", calling on states to urgently insist Israel shift course."Israel's suspension of numerous aid agencies from Gaza is outrageous," Volker Turk said in a statement."Such arbitrary suspensions make an already intolerable situation even worse for the people of Gaza," he warned.His comment came after Israel said that 37 aid organisations will be banned from operating in Gaza starting Thursday, unless they comply with its new guidelines requiring detailed information on Palestinian staff.Israel has singled out international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), alleging that it had two employees who were members of Palestinian fighter groups.Apart from MSF, some of the 37 NGOs to be hit with the ban are Norwegian Refugee Council, World Vision International, CARE and Oxfam, according to the list given by Zwick.Several NGOs have told AFP the new rules will have a major impact on aid distribution in Gaza, with humanitarian organisations saying the amount of aid entering the region remains inadequate."This is the latest in a pattern of unlawful restrictions on humanitarian access," Turk said, pointing to Israel's ban on the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and "attacks on Israeli and Palestinian NGOs amid broader access issues faced by the UN and other humanitarians"."I urge all States, in particular those with influence, to take urgent steps and insist that Israel immediately allows aid to get into Gaza unhindered," he said.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he wanted to "remind the Israeli authorities of their obligation under international law to ensure the essential supplies of daily life in Gaza".This, he stressed, includes "allowing and facilitating humanitarian relief".EU CONCERNThe EU warned Wednesday that Israel's threat to suspend several aid groups in Gaza from January would block "life-saving" assistance from reaching the population, AFP reported from Brussels."The EU has been clear: the NGO registration law cannot be implemented in its current form," EU humanitarian chief Hadja Lahbib posted on X, after Israel said several groups would be barred for failing to provide details of their Palestinian employees."IHL (international humanitarian law) leaves no room for doubt: aid must reach those in need," Lahbib wrote.NGOs had until December 31 to register under the new framework, which Israel says aims to prevent "hostile actors" operating in the Palestinian territories, rather than impede aid.The Israeli government told AFP earlier this month that 14 NGO requests had been rejected as of November 25.Several NGOs said the new rules will have a major impact on aid distribution in Gaza, with humanitarian organisations saying the amount of aid entering Gaza remains inadequate.While an accord for a ceasefire that started on October 10 stipulated the entry of 600 trucks per day, only 100 to 300 are carrying humanitarian aid, according to NGOs and the UN.Cogat, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, said last week that on average 4,200 aid trucks enter Gaza weekly, which corresponds to around 600 daily.OIC CONDEMNSThe Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) has strongly condemned an Israeli decision to prevent 37 international NGOs from operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip, QNA reported from Jeddah.In a statement issued Wednesday, the OIC's general secretariat said the NGOs played a vital and irreplaceable role in easing the humanitarian and medical crisis in Gaza.It warned that the arbitrary measure would significantly worsen what it called the territory's already catastrophic humanitarian situation, citing Israeli restrictions that it said were limiting the flow of sufficient humanitarian and medical assistance into Gaza.The OIC said the decision was illegal and amounted to a serious violation of international humanitarian law. It also referred to an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which it said obliges an occupying power to facilitate the work of international and humanitarian organisations and to allow the unimpeded delivery of adequate aid to Gaza.The organisation called on the international community to take action and apply effective pressure on Israel to reverse the decision. 

The decision taken by the Israeli occupation to suspend the operations of nearly 37 international relief organisations operating in the Gaza Strip is perilous and would aggravate the depth of the humanitarian crisis and anguish in the enclave that has been gripped by a two-year war of annihilation, politicians and human rights advocates, as well as representatives of Palestinian civil society institutions said.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they stressed that this decision to deny those international institutions from operating in Gaza is a destruction to a core and significant part of the relief operation in Gaza, a menace that threatens the daily life of roughly 2mn Gazans amid the ongoing ramifications of the war of annihilation and non-recovery, primarily the Israeli intransigence and non-response to humanitarian needs.As such, they implored the UN, the international community, and donors to spring into action, halt all Israeli-imposed restrictions on the international and civil organisations' operations, and allow the flow of all kinds of humanitarian aid to ensure the continuation of their operations, bolster humanitarian response, and make sure that humanitarian action is independent.**media[399621]**Director General of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO), Amjad Shawa, said the move will further increase the humanitarian tragedy, degenerating into a catastrophic level, in addition to deepening the impending menace for Gazans.The situation engulfing Gazans following a two-year war prompts those relief organisations to ramp up their relief programmes, Shawa highlighted, adding that the decision would exacerbate the crisis and disrupt a critical portion of this magnanimous work, as included in the rejected Israeli decision.Shawa deemed the move dangerous in terms of content and timing, terminating the operation of those relief organisations amid the very difficult situation facing the Palestinians in Gaza with the relentless genocidal impacts, as well as the crippled situation facing all components of human life.This Israeli move won't only disrupt the operation of dozens of relief organisations but rather extend to harm thousands of domestic and international workers who operate within their crews, he cautioned.As such, Shawa added that, consequently, the Israeli occupation will later deny the entry of international workers, namely physicians, administrators, and personnel to Gaza, stressing that there would be no alternative other than these organisations to fill the gap, especially after banning the operation of UNRWA.Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, said the Israeli move is a new breach of international norms and laws, stressing that banning the operation of 37 international organisations in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as blocking UNRWA, are part of the full Israeli fascist attack to destroy the life of Palestinians.The Israeli occupation forces would not have reached the degree of rudeness if Western governments had been defending not only international law and UN institutions, but their countries' institutions per se, Barghouti concluded.Head of the International Commission to Support Palestinians' Rights (ICSPR), Dr Salah Abd Alati, stressed that this decision comes within a methodical occupation policy to disband the entire international humanitarian operation to yield to the Israeli logic of dominance and political extortion, and ultimately erode the independence of those organizations and disrupt their critical role in protecting civilians and meeting humanitarian needs.This move, which had been taken with the intent of abrogating the licenses of several of those international organisations, constitutes a methodical policy and an international crime against them and human values, Dr Abd Alati noted.Abd Alati clarified that the Israeli measures are intended to impose a reality that ends in re-registering those institutions to operate for the occupation authorities and then compel them to disclose the sensitive and private information of their operators, in addition to imposing security and administrative conditions that curtail their operations and put hindrances in the way of human rights monitoring of Israeli abuses.The new Israeli occupation order in registering NGOs operating since March 2025 is leveraged as a political and security tool to take over the humanitarian activity, imposing a reality that compels those relief workers to disclose sensitive information about their workers, Abd Alati warned.In essence, this Israeli move against those organisations and UNRWA comes concomitantly with a humanitarian tragedy engulfing Gazans who fundamentally rely on aid in many key services such as relief, health, and emergency, which has ultimately engendered worsening living conditions with rampant unemployment, poverty, and famine among the Palestinians.Israel has so far declared the suspension of the operations of the humanitarian organizations in the Gaza enclave under the pretext of non-compliance with rules and laws.These institutions include a host of fabled international relief organisations operating in the Gaza Strip, namely Oxfam, ANERA, CARE International, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the globally widespread Doctors Without Borders.In a statement, the latter confirmed that it provided care to nearly half a mn people during the two‑year war on Gaza and warned that its de-registration by the Israeli occupation would result in the withholding of life‑saving medical aid from hundreds of thousands. 

The Secretary-General of the Doha-based Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRIs), Sultan bin Hassan al-Jamali, said that the siege and daily suffering endured by the Palestinian people, along with attempts to erase their identity and rights, place a collective responsibility on all parties to unify efforts, activate international legal mechanisms, and ensure accountability for all human rights violators without exception. Speaking during a ceremony organised by the ANNHRIs to honour Arab League Secretary-General Dr Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the League’s headquarters in Cairo, al-Jamali reaffirmed the network’s commitment to standing by the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle, working to lift injustice against them, and defending their right to self-determination in a manner that restores the values of freedom and justice and reinforces regional and global peace and security. In this context, the ANNHRIs also organised in Cairo the sixth edition of the “Mohamed Fayek Course” on human rights, in co-operation with Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights. At the opening of the course, the secretary-general stated that national human rights institutions occupy a unique position within the international system, serving as a vital link between the state and civil society on one hand, and between the state and international mechanisms on the other. He added that these institutions play a central role in bridging the gap between international obligations and national practices, ensuring alignment of legislation with human rights standards, issuing recommendations, monitoring their implementation, and engaging constructively with international mechanisms. Al-Jamali noted that the network launched the Mohamed Fayek foundational course six years ago to deepen understanding of these roles, strengthen co-operation among stakeholders, and develop the skills of new members, contributing to the building of a coherent national human rights system and enhancing the capacity of institutions and defenders to influence public policy in line with international standards. For his part, Vice-President of Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights Mahmoud Karem said that naming the annual training course after Mohamed Fayek reflects recognition of him as a comprehensive intellectual school and a source of deep practical expertise that serves as a reference for new generations working in the field of human rights. He added that the course derives particular importance from being held amid a highly complex regional and international context marked by escalating armed conflicts, worsening violations, and deepening economic and social challenges, underscoring the urgent need to prepare young cadres equipped with deep awareness, scientific tools, and the capacity for analysis and responsible action in the field of human rights. 

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), in co-operation with the General Secretariat of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions and the UN Center for Training and Documentation in Human Rights for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, organised a talk in celebration of Human Rights Day.The talk aimed to highlight human rights as not merely slogans or rigid legal texts, but as the foundation of daily interaction between individuals and societies. It also reaffirmed that the defense of rights is a collective responsibility that requires integrated efforts between governments, institutions, and civil society, in addition to calling for the transformation of principles into practical policies that ensure a dignified life for every human being.In this context, His Excellency Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee Dr Mohammed bin Saif al-Kuwari said that this occasion marked a pivotal moment in modern human history. He said that today we witness an advanced level of awareness of the concept of human rights thanks to this universal document, and that the principle of equality has become a fundamental pillar of most international conventions and national constitutions. He noted that just over seven decades ago, the world viewed large segments of humanity as being of lesser value and dignity than others. He also emphasised that one cannot speak of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights without recalling the Arab contribution to it.He pointed out that the complex global challenges the world faces today, whether climate change, environmental degradation, digital transformation, terrorism, and armed conflicts, result in widespread violations of human rights. He stressed that addressing them requires collective international action that ensures that the fruits of scientific progress and development are shared by all humanity without discrimination.He reaffirmed that this global occasion has particular significance in Qatar, as it represents an opportunity to reiterate that human rights are not merely theoretical texts but a practical tool enabling individuals and societies to build a better future.He said that this year’s theme clearly aligns with Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, which emphasises the preservation of human dignity in many of its provisions, and that this principle is consistent with Sharia, the main source of legislation. He also highlighted the State’s commitment to implementing the human rights conventions to which it is a party. He said that the National Human Rights Committee plays a pivotal role in promoting a culture of human rights, drawing on the Islamic civilisational heritage grounded in justice, equality, noble ethics, and respect for human dignity. He noted that the Committee has made continuous efforts to raise awareness and to protect these rights, participated in numerous international forums, and achieved a distinguished global standing.He affirmed the continued work of the Committee across many areas, including education, health, labour, environment, and the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. He highlighted the Committee’s role in ensuring that no individual was deprived of their rights during key events and major activities hosted by Qatar in recent years, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and major sporting events.HE Secretary-General of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions Sultan bin Hassan al-Jamali said the High Commissioner’s selection of this year’s theme was a clear call to rediscover the essence of human rights in the details of our daily lives, as these details form the basis for building the human dignity everyone seeks.In his speech during the event, he said that national human rights institutions play a pioneering role in transforming international commitments into tangible reality as they bridge the gap between the obligations undertaken by states and what citizens experience on a daily basis and serve as a living link between civil society and governments. 

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met Wednesday with the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. Discussions during the meeting dealt with co-operation between Qatar and the United Nations in the areas of human rights protection and human development. They also discussed the human rights situation in crisis zones, mechanisms for supporting the most vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, and a number of other topics of mutual interest. During the meeting, the Minister of State for International Co-operation affirmed the Qatar's commitment to supporting UN efforts aimed at promoting human rights and strengthening multilateral partnerships to achieve more effective responses. For his part, the UN high commissioner for human rights commended the Qatar's role in humanitarian and diplomatic work and its efforts in supporting protection and promoting human rights at the international level. 

Britain's foreign minister Yvette Cooper plans to introduce sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in war-torn Sudan, she said Tuesday, stressing the need for sustained efforts for a ceasefire. "I've instructed my officials to bring forward potential sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan," Cooper told lawmakers, amid global efforts to end the war in the east African nation.The conflict erupted in 2023 amid a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). RSF's recent takeover of Al-Fashir, one of Sudan's largest cities, has raised grave concerns about mass killings. Both sides have increasingly relied on drone strikes in recent months.Cooper said that the international community had turned its back on Sudan for "far too long". "We may need to make sure teams can get in to investigate these atrocities and hold the perpetrators to account," she said. Last year, Britain imposed sanctions on three businesses which it said were funding military groups behind the Sudanese war.

The first consultative session to prepare the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030) convened in Doha Sunday. The session was attended by His Excellency the President of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr Hassan bin Lahdan al-Hassan al-Mohannadi, His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi, His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, and Her Excellency the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah. Also attending were several officials and representatives of government agencies and national institutions, as well as a top tier of experts and representatives of civil society. The session is intended to weigh in on the key themes of this action plan, identify challenges and gaps, and listen to the attendees' views and feedback that would literally help prepare a holistic plan that reflects the community's needs and aspirations. **media[382705]** Overall, the session features deliberations that highlight the priorities for the upcoming period within the national framework for human rights. In her opening remarks, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the national committee for preparing the National Human Rights Action Plan Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad welcomed the participants, affirming that their participation underscores Qatar's enduring commitment to the values of human dignity, justice, equality, and the rule of law, values that essentially shape the essence of Islamic Sharia, Qatar's Permanent Constitution, and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030). The preparation of this plan is neither a procedural action nor a tradition the world simply intends to pursue, but rather a national vision that expresses the collective will to bolster the system of rights and freedoms and the principles that place humans at the core of development and its aims, HE al-Misnad underscored. She added that from this position the plan, which needs invaluable contributions in terms of preparation and execution, represents a practical road map that primarily aims to transform values into legislation and policies and principles into measurable realistic practices, and at the end of the day human rights become a guiding approach in planning and crafting public policies in a variety of fields. **media[382706]** The move, she adds, comes in the wake of accelerating challenges the world is witnessing today in terms of climate change and digital transformation, as well as the resulting complexities that affect people’s lives and daily affairs. HE al-Misnad noted the Doha Political Declaration issued at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, which underscores the inextricable link between achieving social justice and reinforcing respect for human rights. The declaration, she said, calls for a rights based approach to shaping and advancing social policies, upholding the rule of law and good governance, ensuring unencumbered access to justice, and building effective institutions. It also emphasizes broadening community participation for all stakeholders so that development remains human centered, affirming that social protection is a right, not a largesse. This plan represents an opportunity to translate the substance of the Declaration at the national level and to embody the nation's commitment to social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs anchored in human dignity, justice, and solidarity both domestically and within the international community, she points out. She further noted that the committee responsible for drafting this plan is laser focused on ensuring that the drafting process is grounded in five core principles, chiefly the universality, indivisibility, complementarity, and interdependence of human rights. This is literally the approach that binds their promotion, protection, and fulfillment to the shared religious, human, constitutional, and international values that underpin them, and to transparency and openness in sharing information and assessing the current landscape with all its achievements and challenges, and to broad based partnership and community participation through the engagement of state institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, and all stakeholders, reaffirming the principle of leaving no one behind, she outlines. Al Misnad stressed that institutional integration is essential to ensure the effective execution of the agreed upon actions, supported by continuous follow up and periodic evaluation to refine performance and safeguard the sustainability of the gains that have been achieved. In addition, Her Excellency expressed her profound belief that these five principles serve as a springboard for crafting a realistic, actionable, and impact sustained National Plan, one that stands in lockstep with QNV2030, which places the human being at the core of development, and with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which foregrounds good governance, human empowerment, and the preservation of social justice within a balanced national framework. The aspiration is for this plan to emerge as a unifying document that captures the shared vision of both the nation and society and becomes a national role model rooted in rights based planning, Her Excellency noted. She elaborated that the success of these consultative sessions hinges on engagement, constructive criticism, unencumbered reflections, inspiring ideas, and insightful proposals. This collective input, she highlights, will flip the script from mere textual commitments to a results driven plan whose impact is concrete in people’s lives, not confined to rhetoric. Al Misnad extended her profound gratitude to all partners from ministries, governmental and national bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector for their support and their engagement that is capped by success. Her Excellency further extended her profound gratitude to global partners for their steadfast engagement and for lending depth to this national endeavor, affirming that she looks forward to the outcomes of their constructive dialogue that confidently redound to the benefit of the cherished nation and valued society. Through collective effort, human rights are firmly anchored within the nation and the future of the coming generations is safeguarded, she stated. The assigned committee underscored that convening this session forms part of a participatory approach that reinforces transparency and ensures the broad inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in shaping the plan. This aligns with the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, QNV2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and international human rights standards. The committee noted that the session reconvenes Monday to continue discussions on the remaining pillars of this plan. It adds that additional thematic and forward looking sessions are held to guarantee the engagement of all segments of society in the formulation process, a step intended to ensure that no one is left behind and that the effort is capped by success in every conceivable way.

Qatar reaffirmed its firm position in support of the unity of Sudan, the integrity of its territory, and the right of its brotherly people to enjoy security, stability, and a dignified life. This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Her Excellency Permanent Representative of Qatar in Geneva Dr Hend bint Abdulrahman al-Muftah, during the 38th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on human rights situation in and around El-Fasher, Sudan held in Geneva.Her Excellency al-Muftah reiterated Qatar's ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of the Sudanese people and rejecting any form of interference in Sudan's internal affairs, particularly those that fuel the ongoing armed conflict and contribute to its prolongation.She expressed Qatar's shock and strong condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Fasher following the recent attack, calling for an end to these violations and crimes and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.She also renewed Qatar's call for an end to the war in Sudan and for a peaceful resolution that ensures the country's unity, preserves its institutions, and safeguards its territorial sovereignty.She stressed that the time has come for the world to pay attention to this humanitarian tragedy and work seriously to end it, as each passing day reveals more atrocities that are paid for by innocent civilians, as witnessed in El-Fasher and its surroundings, with fears of recurrence in other areas unless swift action is taken to stop them.Her Excellency al-Muftah reaffirmed Qatar's solidarity with the Sudanese people during this critical humanitarian situation and its continued provision of all forms of support to alleviate the crisis.She called on the international community to intensify its efforts and respond by providing humanitarian aid to meet the growing needs of the Sudanese people.At the conclusion of its special session, the Human Rights Council adopted, without a vote, a resolution calling for an urgent investigation into recent violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed in El-Fasher and surrounding areas.

Kuwait has called for adherence to international law and the principles of human rights as the only way to maintain international peace and security. This came in a statement delivered by the Diplomatic Attache of Kuwait's Permanent Mission to the UN, Abeer Al Methen, before the third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of the UN General Assembly, during discussions on item (71) regarding the promotion and protection of human rights, as part of the 80th session of the General Assembly.She said that the world stands at a critical crossroads amid growing violations and declining respect for international conventions, noting that recent UN reports underscore the urgent need to strengthen global solidarity in confronting humanitarian crises, achieving sustainable development, and promoting just and lasting peace, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).Al Methen added that Kuwait continues to play a leading role in humanitarian work through relief and development initiatives that have reached numerous affected countries, pointing to the dispatch of 19 humanitarian air bridges to Palestine, a reflection of Kuwait's steadfast foreign policy based on supporting afflicted peoples and alleviating their suffering.She welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, expressing Kuwait's hope that it will serve as a step toward ending the long-standing humanitarian suffering. She reiterated that a just and lasting solution lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.Furthermore, she underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty of Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan, reaffirming Kuwait's firm stance rejecting any measures that violate international law or undermine regional peace and security.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a celebration on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN) and the organization's international day, which falls on Oct. 24 annually, as part of celebrating the existing cooperation between the State of Qatar and the UN.In this context, Her Excellency Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi affirmed that over the past eight decades, the UN has been the cornerstone of the multilateral international system and a comprehensive platform for promoting international peace and security, advancing sustainable development, and protecting human rights around the world.In her speech during the ceremony, Her Excellency said that with the celebration of this distinguished legacy, the State of Qatar reaffirms its deep appreciation for the vital role played by the UN and renewed its firm commitment to the principles upon which the organization was founded.Her Excellency explained that this celebratory occasion represents an opportunity to review achievements and to explore the prospects for future joint action to confront the renewed challenges in the world, which today require strengthening international cooperation and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and the values ​​of solidarity, partnership, and mutual respect, for a better future for humanity.HE Minister of Social Development and Family expressed the State of Qatar's pride regarding its close and strategic relationship with the UN and its various bodies and agencies, noting that this partnership is based on solid foundations of cooperation and coordination on many priority issues.The State of Qatar's commitment to being an active partner in supporting the UN's efforts in the areas of education, health, humanitarian action, development, women and youth empowerment, promoting peace, and resolving conflicts through peaceful means, reflects its unwavering commitment to its role as a responsible member of the international community, Her Excellency pointed out.The 80th anniversary of the UN comes at a time when the State of Qatar is preparing to host the Second World Summit for Social Development in November, in partnership with the UN, HE explained. This summit will represent a pivotal opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the social dimension in achieving sustainable development and promoting policies that ensure social justice and human dignity, especially in light of the multiple challenges the world is witnessing, including increasing poverty, social inequality, and profound demographic and economic changes.Qatar's hosting of the Second World Summit for Social Development reflects the state's deep belief in the importance of international cooperation in addressing social challenges and expanding the scope of social justice, thus achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, Her Excellency said. She also noted that the State of Qatar looks forward to continuing to strengthen its partnership with the UN and working towards a future of peace, justice, and development for all.On behalf of HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Her Excellency Director of International Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that this occasion is the culmination of a long journey of collective action to serve international peace and security, and to promote development, justice, and human rights around the world.In her speech during the ceremony, Her Excellency highlighted the UN's pivotal role in addressing global challenges, and referred to the close partnership between the State of Qatar and the organization and its specialized institutions.Since joining the UN, the State of Qatar believed in the importance of multilateralism and joint international action, and has made supporting the efforts of the UN a fundamental pillar of its foreign policy, based on its firm commitment to its international responsibilities, Her Excellency pointed out.HE Director of International Organizations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Qatar is preparing to host the Second World Summit for Social Development in November, in partnership with the UN. This reaffirms the importance of social development as a cornerstone for achieving peace, stability, and prosperity. This summit also represents a renewed opportunity to unify international efforts to enhance social cohesion, confront marginalization, and achieve social justice for all.HE explained that the summit comes at a time when the world is witnessing profound transformations and intertwined challenges, requiring all to strengthen multilateral cooperation and activate international mechanisms to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in light of the economic, environmental, and humanitarian crises witnessed globally.The 80th anniversary of the UN's founding represents a moment of contemplation of the achievements made despite challenges, and a moment of anticipation of a more united and just international path, she added.Her Excellency said that today, the State of Qatar renews its firm commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and to working together for a world built on dialogue and understanding, in which human dignity is preserved, and policies are formulated on the foundations of sustainable development, social justice, and mutual respect.For her part, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed said that with the celebration of UN Day, which marked 80 years since the UN Charter came to be, through which nations chose cooperation over conflict and declared that peace, justice and dignity are the right of everyone, everywhere.She said in a video address broadcast during the ceremony that the UN Charter remains the compass, but what the world envisions has not yet been achieved, especially with the emergence of new conflicts, growing inequalities, and the emergence of modern technologies that are reshaping the world. She also noted that the UN must be prepared for what lies ahead.She added that with five years to go until 2030, the world knows that we are not where we should be, and that the Sustainable Development Goals remain unfinished business. She explained the urgent need to accelerate the pace and intensify action, by addressing inequality, reforming the international financial architecture, raising climate ambition, achieving a just energy transition, and ensuring that women and youth have the power to lead change.Deputy Secretary-General of the UN noted that all UN teams in all countries are working to advance this work and bring the UN closer to the people it serves. Her Excellency noted that, after 80 years, the world still looks to the UN as a source of hope, and therefore, there must be continued work aimed for a world of peace and opportunity and dignity for all.In turn, HE Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for Gulf States and Yemen, and Director of its Doha Office, Salah Khaled, said the State of Qatar hosts 13 UN agencies, with more than 300 staff working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, support Qatar National Vision 2030, and respond together to regional and global challenges.In his speech during the ceremony, His Excellency added that their partnership with the State of Qatar encompasses education, innovation, climate resilience, social inclusion, labor mobility, cultural heritage, and other areas. He emphasized that Qatar has been and will remain a key partner in transforming the UN's principles into a tangible reality.His Excellency added that the State of Qatar, through the call launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, was the initiator of the establishment of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which was celebrated for the first time in 2020 by the Education Above All Foundation, UNICEF, and UNESCO.HE pointed out that Qatar, through the Qatar Fund for Development, recently provided a $20 million grant in 2023 to support the efforts of the Education Cannot Wait initiative, a global fund established by the UN to support education in emergencies and protracted crises.His Excellency praised Qatar's diplomatic mediation efforts and its success in leading negotiations aimed at ending conflicts and preserving peace, while advocating for human rights, and described these efforts as commendable.

Head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ajith Sunghay said that the escalating attacks on the olive harvest season represent one of many Israeli aggressions designed to sever connections, to annex the land, to dispossess Palestinians, and facilitate the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.During a press conference Sunghay held in Ramallah, he stressed that the past three years were unimaginably difficult, as Israeli settler violence and access restrictions prevented many farmers from harvesting their land. He added: "Settler violence has skyrocketed in scale and frequency, with the acquiescence, support, and in many cases participation, of Israeli security forces — and always with impunity."He emphasized that the new Israeli checkpoints and iron gates separated Palestinian farmers from their lands, with disastrous consequences. In 2023, 96,000 dunums of olive land were left unharvested, resulting in losses exceeding $10 million for Palestinian farmers. The same pattern continued in the 2024 season.The Head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory noted that between 80,000 and 100,000 Palestinian families depend on the olive harvest as their primary source of livelihood. "It is not an understatement to say that the harvest season is the economic backbone of rural Palestinian communities," he added.Although tensions, violence, and restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities are not new in the context of the olive harvest, he pointed to statements by Israeli government officials about the intention to annex the entire West Bank and forcibly displace Palestinians. He said: "We must remember, no matter how long the occupation has lasted, that this is not to be normalized. Israel has a legal obligation to end the occupation and reverse the annexation of the West Bank. Israel's denial of Palestinians' right to life, livelihood, safety, security, dignity, and self-determination is unlawful and unacceptable."Sunghay said: "The implications are reverberating in the West Bank. If action is not taken to ensure accountability and a viable path to a just peace, the repercussions will be felt around the world. And the international community, especially member states with power and influence, must exercise maximum pressure to protect civilians, halt and reverse the rapidly expanding policies of annexation, and ensure accountability for decades of violations of Palestinians' rights under international law."He emphasized that the beginning is to exert efforts to ensure Palestinians' full access to their lands, calling for a coordinated international effort to protect the olive season and ensure the safety of Palestinian farmers and workers.The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks by settlers on Palestinian citizens and foreign activists during the olive harvest season in the occupied West Bank, stressing that the attempts of the occupation authorities must not go unpunished, as they not only constitute a flagrant violation of international law, but also a threat to the values of justice on which the foundations of the international system are based, as well as other norms and fundamental rights.

His Excellency Attorney General Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi met today with the President of the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights and former Prosecutor General of the French Republic Jean-Francois Thony. The meeting discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation and exchange of expertise between the Public Prosecution and the Syracuse International Institute.