Qatar Confirms Firm Stance in Support of Arab Spring Peoples - Minister

Geneva, February 26 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has underlined its firm stance towards supporting the Arab Spring peoples and their legitimate demands and aspiration. In a speech, delivered by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah during the 22nd session of the of the Human Rights Council, HE the Minister pointed to catastrophic situations suffered by the Syrian people due to the violations of their rights. He added that the acts of the Syrian regime including the massacres and the use of all types of heavy weapons like the Scud missiles, which caused enormous destruction in Aleppo, and the use of internationally banned weapons against unarmed civilians are flagrant violations of all humanitarian values and laws. The State of Qatar strongly condemned the intransigence of the Syrian regime as well as its uncooperativeness and denying access for international observers to the Syrian cities, HE the Minister noted. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the international community especially the UN Security Council's failure in solving this issue has revealed serious inability in responding to moral challenges like the crisis of the Syrian People, and contributed to the prolongation of the crisis and increasing the numbers of victims. HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah urged the UN Security Council to take its ethical and legal responsibilities to stop the humanitarian disaster, atrocities and other crimes committed against the Syrian people and to bring those responsible for these crimes of criminal justice. HE the Minister added that Doha hosted last November the meeting of the Syrian opposition, which resulted in the formation of the National Coalition for the forces of the revolution and the opposition, calling on the international community to provide all forms of support to the Coalition till the Syrian people overcome this ordeal and achieve its demands and legitimate aspirations to live in freedom and dignity with emphasis on the importance of preserving the sovereignty and stability of Syria and its territorial integrity. As part of supporting the Syrian people and upon directives of HH the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the State of Qatar has extended a financial contribution of $100 million for the Humanitarian Support Coordination Unit of the National Coalition for the forces of the revolution and the opposition in Syria.", HE the Minister Dr. Al Attiyah noted. In a speech before the high-level segment of the twenty-second session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah said that the State of Qatar appreciate the tireless efforts made by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and her office in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially since the world is going through circumstance and challenges affecting the realization of many of those 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 assumption of office as President of the Human Rights Council, expressing Qatar's confidence in his ability to run the Council. Al Attiyah also expressed deep appreciation for the efforts made by "Laura Lasserre" during her presidency.      "Qatar seeks to cooperate with all countries in order to promote human rights and find solutions to the issues and challenges facing humanity within an approach based on the promotion and protection of human rights", Al Attiyah said, underscoring Qatar continued cooperation with all the mechanisms within the framework of the United Nations system.      He added that Qatar is home to the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, which provides a mechanism for close cooperation in building local and regional capacity in the field of human rights, adding that it has offered this center all forms of support to enable it perform its goals. " HE Dr. Al-Attiyah underlined that Qatar was keen to promote human rights by implementing all its international obligations, and by improving the practices of the state in the promotion and protection of all human rights. In this regard , HE the Minister explained that Qatar has to paid attention to promote all the rights and freedoms of all social categories in the country, and this has been confirmed by Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Strategy 2011- 2016. Qatar was also working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, due to the deep belief in the importance of developing human, and to this end the State has achieved most of these goals where all reports and indicators suggest that Qatar would achieve these goals by 2015, HE Dr. Al Attiyah said, stressing in this context that the State of Qatar would not hesitate to provide cooperation and support for developing countries and least developed in order to achieve those goals. HE the Minister Dr. Al Attiyah also underlined the intrinsic link between the environment and human rights, referring in this regard to Qatar international responsibility and its recognition for the importance of facing the climate change and reducing its impact on all human beings, the State of Qatar hosted the in 18th session of the Conference of climate change, where we have made what we could to bring the views and consideration in order to reach resolutions that convincing to all parties. ", HE Dr. Al Attiyah said HE the Minister stressed Qatar's continued support for the implementation of the Doha agreement on climate change, and keenness on the continuation of international efforts in the coming period, expressing hope that positive results would be achieved on the ground. On the Israeli practices against the Palestinian prisoners and its abuses against the Palestinian people, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said there was no doubt that the lack of Israeli cooperation with the Human Rights Council and its non-compliance with the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, in a precedent which was never seen by the Council , reveals clearly the Israel's blatant violation of the international conventions. He added that the international community should force it (Israel) to obey to the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism HE the Minister Dr. Al Attiyah underscored the importance of this Mechanism, and stressed the need for applying it equally to all countries, a matter which he said would enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council." He called on the international community to shoulder its moral and humanitarian, and legal responsibilities and to take the necessary quick and effective measures to put pressure on Israel, the most important of which is resort the UN Security Council to adopt 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, and to put an end to the policy of impunity, and bring those responsible for these attacks to international criminal justice, as well as to issue a resolution under Chapter VII to lift the unjust siege on Gaza, and to stop the settlement operations in all the occupied Palestinian territories, HE Dr. Al Attiyah said . HE Dr. Khalid Al-Attiyah said that the historical visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Gaza late October, confirmed the Qatari people and government's firm stance in support of the Palestinian people. We reiterate our full support for the Palestinian Cause, he said adding that Qatar is committed to extend different types of assistance to alleviate the suffering of Palestine's people, break the siege imposed on them and realize their legitimate rights including the right of self-determination in an independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Israel's administrative detention and torturing the Palestinians, and assassinating the Martyr Arafat Jaradat, less than a week from his arresting. He stressed the importance of the international community's interference to stop the violations against the detainees, and to guarantee appropriate treatment and health care as per the international and humanitarian laws. He added that the State of Qatar believes in dialogue, coexistence and cultural diversity, and works to develop friendship relations among nations to eliminate the factors that hinder rapprochement, understanding and dialogue among civilizations and cultures. Within the same context, HE Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah condemned incidents of intolerance, negative stereotypes, religious hatred and violence against Muslims, and called for addressing all the provocateurs of religious hatred and contempt, referring to the UN Security Council's resolution 16/18. He expressed grave concern over ignoring the suffering of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Arakan, Myanmar, calling on the international community to address this humanitarian situation and ensure the cessation of violence and killing against the Rohingya Muslims, as well as to continue the efforts for delivering humanitarian assistance and the provision of necessary support in order to reach a lasting solution that preserves their dignity and safeguard their rights according to the international treaties and conventions. (END)