The State of Qatar has expressed its concern about the economic and social repercussions resulting from armed conflicts, and their severe impact on the lack of food and the increase in poverty.
At the same time, Qatar welcomed the appointment of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, wishing him success in the performance of his duties.
This came during the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by the HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar in Geneva, Dr. Hind bint Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, before the UN Human Rights Council at its 51st session, during the general debate on the updated statement of the High Commissioner.
Al Muftah said that the State of Qatar agrees with what was stated in the update when it comes to collective multilateral action providing an opportunity to strengthen the rooted commitment to international human rights standards, noting that collective gatherings, such as such major events can also play a role in building bridges and strengthening communication between societies and peoples.
Al Muftah also expressed the State of Qatar’s aspiration that its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup would contribute to promoting the values and principles of human rights urged by sports.
Her Excellency noted that the recent launch of the Sports for Development and Peace initiative by the State of Qatar will enhance the role of sport in advancing sustainable development goals: by supporting humanitarian and development efforts, as well as promoting community initiatives aimed at consolidating the values of tolerance, peace and integration.
Furthermore, Her Excellency also pointed out that the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) recently signed an agreement with the World Food Program to provide a contribution of USD 10 million to support humanitarian operations that meet basic food security needs.
Al Muftah also expressed Qatar’s denunciation of what was mentioned in the update regarding the increasing number of Palestinian dead and wounded, especially children, at the hands of the Israeli forces. Her Excellency condemned in particular the criminal killing of the five-year-old girl Alaa Qaddoum, as a result of the Israeli occupation’s bombing last month of Gaza City, and the penetration of shrapnel of Alaa’s head to kill her. As such, the number of Palestinian children martyred since year 2000 has increased to 2,230.
In the same context, Her Excellency reiterated the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the criminal assassination by the Israeli occupation forces, of Shireen Abu Akleh, while she was carrying out her journalistic duty. In addition, Al Muftah stressed her support for the High Commissioner’s call to conduct a criminal investigation in line with international standards to hold those responsible for this crime accountable.
Moreover, the Permanent Representative remarked that she had hoped that the oral update would address the human rights situation in Syria, especially after more than eleven years of grave violations and crimes committed against the brotherly Syrian people: the continuation of military operations, and the absence of any prospect for a political solution: something that the Syrian regime does not believe in and that the perpetrators of these violations and crimes continue to enjoy impunity from accountability and punishment, which pushes them to commit even more crimes, in the lack of any deterrence or fear.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs