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Tribune News Network
Doha
QATAR has called on the siege countries to sit at the negotiating table to end the human rights violations committed in the context of the Gulf crisis, which have affected a large number of individuals and families.
This came in the statement of Qatar, delivered by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva Ambassador HE Ali Khalfan al Mansouri, during the general debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council.
Mansouri stated:"We concur with the High Commissioner's statement that political differences may divide some of the countries, but upholding human rights is in the interest of every State. In this context, we call on siege countries to sit at the negotiating table to end the human rights violations committed in the context of the Gulf crisis, which have affected a large number of individuals and families."
Mansouri voiced Qatar's thanks to the High Commissioner for her update, reaffirming full confidence in her capacity and competence to lead the OHCHR to carry out its mandate objectively and effectively.
He expressed hope that the High Commissioner would address in her update the human rights violations that accompanied the Gulf crisis and the blockade imposed on Qatar since June 5, 2017. These violations were evidently reflected in the report of the OHCHR Technical Team who visited Doha last November. He urged the OHCHR and the Council's relevant mechanisms to take all feasible measures to put an end to these violations, especially as they continue to this day.
"As part of Qatari government's efforts to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms in the State, the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani issued on September 4, Law No. (13) of 2018 guaranteeing expatriate workers the right to exit and leave the country without prior permission," Mansouri pointed out.
He added that this law is a new step that further supports Qatar's continuous efforts to provide decent working and living conditions for all workers in Qatar. HH the Amir has already issued Law No (21) of 2015, under which the sponsorship system 'Kafala' was fully abolished and replaced with contracts of employment. Also, Law No. 15 of 2017 on Domestic Workers was enacted providing this category of workers with a number of guarantees on their rights.
He reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to continuing to cooperate with the OHCHR and the High Commissioner to carry out the mandate of the Office in the promotion and protection of human rights all over the world.
In conclusion, Mansouri thanked the former High Commissioner Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad al Hussein for his valuable efforts during his tenure.
