Geneva: Qatar has underlined its firm stance towards supporting the Arab Spring peoples and their legitimate demands and aspirations.
In a speech at the 22nd session of the of the Human Rights Council, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah cited the catastrophic situation of the Syrian people due to violations of their rights.
He said that the acts of the Syrian regime, including the massacres and use of heavy weapons such as Scud missiles caused enormous destruction in Aleppo and the use of internationally banned weapons against unarmed civilians is a flagrant violation of humanitarian values and laws.
Qatar strongly condemned the intransigence of the Syrian regime, its noncooperative attitude and denial of access to international observers to Syrian cities, the Minister said.
He said that the international community’s, especially the UN Security Council’s, failure in solving the issue has revealed serious inability to respond to moral challenges like the crisis of the Syrian people, and contributed to the prolongation of the crisis and increasing the number of victims.
The Minister urged the Security Council to take its ethical and legal responsibilities seriously to stop the humanitarian disaster and atrocities committed against the Syrian people and bring those responsible for the crimes to justice.
He added that Doha hosted last November a meeting of the Syrian opposition, which resulted in the formation of the National Coalition for the forces of the revolution and the opposition.
He called on the international community to support the coalition until the Syrian people overcome their ordeal and achieve their demands and legitimate aspirations to live in freedom and dignity.
Dr Al Attiyah stressed the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity.
As part of supporting Syrian people upon directives of the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has provided $100m for the Humanitarian Support Coordination Unit of the National Coalition in Syria, he said.
Dr Al Attiyah said that Qatar appreciated the tireless efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, and her office to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedom, especially since the world is going through challenges affecting the realisation of many rights.
“This gives the Human Rights Council a pivotal role and requires that we all adhere to international standards of human rights for the advancement and enjoyment of those rights.”
He congratulated Ambassador Remigiusz Achilles Henczel on assuming office as President of the Human Rights Council, expressing Qatar’s confidence in his ability to run it.
He also expressed appreciation for efforts made by Laura Lasserre during her presidency.
“Qatar seeks to cooperate with all countries to promote human rights and find solutions to issues and challenges facing humanity in an approach based on the promotion and protection of human rights,” he said.
He added that Qatar is home to the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region, which provides a mechanism for close cooperation in building local and regional capacity in the field of human rights. Qatar has offered the centre all support to enable it perform its goals,” he said.
On Israeli practices against Palestinian prisoners and its abuses against the Palestinian people, the Minister said that there was no doubt that a lack of Israeli cooperation with the Human Rights Council and its non-compliance with the Universal Periodic Review, in a precedent never seen by the Council, reveals clearly Tel Aviv’s blatant violation of international conventions.
He said that the international community should force Israel to follow the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. He stressed the need for applying the mechanism equally in all countries, a matter which he said would enhance credibility and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council.
Dr Al Attiyah also urged the international community to shoulder its moral, humanitarian and legal responsibilities and take necessary and effective measures to put pressure on Israel, the most important of which is to resort to Security Council for a resolution for the formation of an international commission to investigate all attacks and actions taken by Israel since the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
QNA
