DOHA: Qatar yesterday reiterated its commitment to rule of law saying that lack of respect for rule of law led people to revolt against oppressive regimes and claim their rights guaranteed by law.
It called on the international community to respect the will of these peoples and help them gain their legitimate rights.
This came in a statement delivered by Rashid Mubarak Al Khater, a member of Qatar’s delegation to the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, before the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee on the topic: The rule of law at the national and international levels.
Al Khater said that Qatar has adopted rule of law at the national level as a cornerstone to achieve equality and justice for all and promote good governance.
Qatar believes that the rule of law is a prerequisite for the promotion of international peace, security and development, and is keen to enhance its role as a partner with the international community to work and cooperate in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and implement commitments and declarations relating to the rule of law.
Qatar is keen to ensure that there are clear national legal frameworks for the realisation of the rule of law, consistent with international law, and according to what is stated in the high-level declaration, which stresses the importance of member states’ support to implement international obligations and commitments on strengthening the rule of law, Al Khater said.
He said that Qatar is also committed to implementing international instruments, away from duplication and political interpretations, as long as the international law guarantees equality of rights and obligations for all.
This requires clear and transparent measures to ensure accountability of officials for violations of international law and human rights, punish the perpetrators of international crimes, and not to allow political self-interest to undermine justice.
Al Khater stressed the efforts aimed at enhancing the national institutions working on implementation of the principle of the rule of law, including the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority.
Committed to respecting the rule of law, the Qatari Constitution imposes on the legislative and executive branches restrictions that would ensure respect for the rights and freedoms, and enhance the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial, he added.
Al Khater also stressed Qatar’s keenness to review and develop a national legislation aimed at ensuring compatibility with the international conventions adopted by the country and join the international instruments.
Based on Qatar’s contribution in promoting the rule of law in the Arab region, the International Centre for the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption established in Doha in 2012.
In collaboration with the United Nations and relevant regional organizations, Qatar exerts serious efforts at the regional level to promote a culture of respect for the rule of law, through organising seminars and training workshops, he said.
Al Khater commended the Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly: Strengthening and coordinating United Nations rule of law activities, A/69/181, which made clear the close connection between the rule of law and the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, development and human rights.
The Peninsula
