CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar

Qatar reiterates commitment to resolving crisis with blockading countries by peaceful means

Published: 23 Jul 2020 - 01:50 pm | Last Updated: 02 Nov 2021 - 05:41 am
Peninsula

QNA

New York: The State of Qatar has reiterated adherence to resolving the crisis with the blockading countries by peaceful diplomatic means and through mediation and constructive unconditional dialogue, stressing that the blockade that it has faced for three years is unfair and represents illegal measures that contradict the United Nations Charter, principles of international law, international agreements and covenants and human rights in addition to harming the interests of the peoples.

This came in a statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the UN Security Council, which held a virtual meeting on "the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue."

HE Sheikha Alya stated that after third anniversary of the cyber crime of hacking Qatar News Agency on May 23, 2017, which was the starting point for the crisis and illegal measures and the unfair blockade on June 5, 2017, everyone has realized that any justifications made by the blockade countries to cover these violations totally are false.

She went on saying that while the blockading countries continued to ignore the principles and the Charter of the United Nations and international law in a blatant manner, these principles formed the basis of the State of Qatars approach to the crisis.

Her Excellency added that The State of Qatar has taken international law as a path to protect the rights of Qatari citizens and residents who have been negatively affected by the illegal measures taken against them.

In this context, she pointed out that the State of Qatar has resorted to international forums and judicial bodies, especially the International Court of Justice as the main judicial organ of the United Nations.

She referred to the decision of the International Court last week, which rejected the two appeals lodged by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt regarding the jurisdiction of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to consider the Qatari complaint about the blockading countries closing their airspaces to Qatar aircraft in a flagrant violation of international law and related international agreements.

HE the ambassador said that the verdict comes in a series of rulings in favor of the State of Qatar, including the order issued by the court in 2018 and in 2019 regarding the UAE's violation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

She also noted the ruling issued last June by the World Trade Organization (WTO), which acknowledged that Saudi Arabia had violated its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) by refusing to take measures against the complicated piracy carried out by "BeOutQ" channel and even promoting that piracy. Her Excellency explained that these judicial rulings confirm the integrity of the legal position of the State of Qatar and the illegitimacy of the measures taken against it.

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani added that despite these unlawful and unjustified measures against the State of Qatar and the persistent malicious campaign against it, the State of Qatar remains adhering to its endeavor to resolve the crisis by peaceful and diplomatic means through mediation and constructive unconditional dialogue, while all states must respect international law and the principle of sovereign equality. In this context, she reiterated the State of Qatar's appreciation for the efforts of HH Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. 

On the UN Security Council's discussion of the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that since the previous discussion, the world's attention has been focused on the tremendous joint challenge of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis, which should be an additional motive to resolve crises in the Middle East with peaceful settlements, given their health effects as well as political, economic and social.

"After the passing of three months since the previous meeting, we reiterate the international calls for ceasefire in all conflicts, in order to focus on combating the pandemic and its dangers that makes no distinction between the parties of any conflict," she added.

She reaffirmed the State of Qatar's principled support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace as well as settlement of the Palestinian issue, while stressing that the only way to resolve is through the settlement of all aspects of the issue, by direct negotiations between the two parties and with international support, on the basis of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, the agreed terms of reference, the principle of Land for Peace and the Arab Peace Initiative.

In order to resolve the Palestinian issue, the two-state solution that constitutes of the establishment of an independent and viable State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, must also be achieved, she pointed out, adding that the occupation of all Arab lands must end, including the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Lebanese territories.

HE called for the ending of settlements, the dismantling of illegal settlements, and the cessation of measures that affect the nature of al-Quds as well as its legal status and demographic composition, in addition to a just solution to the crisis of refugees and the guarantee of all the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

She stressed that Israel's annexation of occupied Palestinian territories in 1967 in an unilateral and illegal matter is considered a strike at the core of the two-state solution and the opportunities for a peaceful settlement, and constitutes a violation of international law and Security Council resolutions.

In this context, HE reiterated the State of Qatar's principled position in supporting the Palestinian people's endeavor to obtain their legitimate rights, and to work by all means to create conditions conductive to peace.

She pointed out to the humanitarian support provided by the State of Qatar to improve the difficult living and economic conditions that Palestinians face in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, noting that, over the past eight years, Qatar has provided humanitarian and development support with more than USD 1.2 billion in the fields of education, electricity supply, the enhancing of infrastructure and housing, in addition to employment financing. In 2020, Qatar pledged a USD 150 million grant over six months, including support to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, she added.

HE also acknowledged the pioneering role of the State of Qatar, through which it continues to support the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) to fulfill its mandate, which is indispensable as it is at the forefront of the Arab countries in terms of providing contribution to the agency's basic resources.

Regarding the Syrian crisis, HE said that the brotherly Syrian people have suffered enough as their country has gone through indescribable damage where they must live in security and dignity.

She reaffirmed that the attempts for a military solution will not put an end to the crisis, but rather lead to a further threat to peace, security and stability, as well as more severe violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the persistence of humanitarian needs. 

HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani also reiterated the State of Qatar's call to reaching a solution conducive to a political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people according to the Geneva Statement and the implementation of Resolution 2254 with all its components, she also stressed the importance of accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity for the conduct of justice, the rights of victims and the long term solution.

Regarding the crisis in Libya, HE the Ambassador stated that the cause of the crisis is clear and its solution is clear as well. She indicated that unlawful militias had launched an aggression targeting innocent civilians of the brotherly Libyan people and its internationally recognized legitimate government, condemning serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by militias, including destroying of health facilities, laying landmines and systematic and mass extrajudicial killings.

Her Excellency explained that the aim of these actions is to undermine progress towards national unity and resolve the crisis according to the Skhirat political agreement , which was endorsed by the UN Security Council and recognized the government under which it was formed as the sole legitimate executive authority in Libya, she also expressed concern about external support for the militia's actions, in light of an international silence in spite of documented violations of Security Council resolutions.

She stressed that in light of the risks to Libya and its grave repercussions for the unity of its people and its national land and for international peace and security, the only way to solve the crisis is by supporting the government of national reconciliation, and commitment to implement the Skhirat political agreement , Security Council resolutions, and the outcome of the Berlin Conference, stressing that the success of any political solution requires a clear and effective international mechanism that guarantees the implementation of what is agreed upon.

HE said that the call of the State of Qatar to resolve the crisis in Libya that preserves its sovereignty and unity and realizes the aspirations and interests of its entire people, not specific parties with special interests and personal ambitions, and that is by returning to negotiations and national dialogue, away from the prejudiced foreign agendas and unlawful external interference. She expressed the support of the State of Qatar to the efforts of the United Nations and the UNSMIL.

On the situation in Yemen, Her Excellency expressed the aspiration of the State of Qatar to the day when the brotherly Yemeni people turn the page of this painful chapter and go beyond the tragedy that they suffer from. She stressed the need to urgently address the humanitarian and economic needs of the Yemeni people, whose humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic proportions and is causing more instability and threatening peace and security in the region.

The time has come to reach a settlement of the crisis and achieve a political solution and national reconciliation through a comprehensive dialogue based on Resolution 2216, while preserving Yemen's unity and security and stability, she said reiterating Qatar's support for the Secretary-General's Special Envoy's efforts to implement his mission.

In conclusion, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani stressed that the urgent need for peace and stability in the Middle East requires a serious endeavor by all parties to resolve all crises ravaging this vital region. she added that the State of Qatar will continue to do everything in its power to contribute to the peaceful settlement of these crises and serves the interests of the countries and peoples of the region and limits all threats to peace, security and stability in the region and worldwide.