Here’s what’s happened since last week’s updates: Qatar asks Human Rights Council to end blockade's coercive and discriminatory measures -- GCC Crisis Updates Week 108
The Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the issue No. 42 of its quarterly 'AL- Diplomacy Magazine', which has highlighted the Gulf crisis in its second year, and Qatar's achievements and steadfastness in the battle for sovereignty and independence. The Magazine include a number of reports, articles and interviews that highlight Qatar's achievements in various fields, despite the unjust blockade imposed on it. It also touches on Qatar's economic diplomacy and its dynamics, as well as tackling the retreat of the strategic influence of the Gulf in light of the crisis and the impact of it on the ability of the GCC countries to face challenges.
The issue also addressed the negative effects of the Gulf crisis at both regional and international levels, reports QNA.
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Chairman His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri's call for including Saudi Arabia's violations of the right to practice religious rites, and its deliberate politicisation of Hajj and Umrah, in the annual report on religious freedom issued by the US State Department is based on Saudi negative attitudes towards Qatar by placing obstacles that prevent citizens and residents of the State of Qatar from performing their religious rituals for the third consecutive year.
Since the blockade, Saudi Arabia has made it increasingly difficult for Qatar citizens and residents to perform religious rites in Makkah and Madinah. Before Haj every year since the blockade started on 5 June 2017, Saudi authorities deliberately mislead the world public opinion by saying they are welcoming Qatari pilgrims to perform their religious rituals in the holy sites, whereas there are many obstacles which are preventing residents and citizens of Qatar to enter the country.
Unfortunately, there is no sign of any coming breakthrough in the Saudi position which rejects Qatari citizens to perform the rituals, pointing out that are increasing demands by the international community for Saudi authorities responsible for Hajj and Umrah not to mix between religious rites and existing political disputes or to use them as a tool for political pressure.
While visiting Washington, His Excellency (H.E.) Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri Chairman of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) said the Gulf crisis has reached the peak of escalation, and this is increasing concerns and worries of all people in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), according to the Gulf Times.
H.E. Al Marri stressed the need for deterrent measures against the blockading countries to compel them to stop the violations that have affected thousands of families and individuals being citizens or residents of Qatar. He also noted that the US, like other Western governments, would bear some responsibility if they did not act immediately to prevent the blockading countries from deliberately prolonging the crisis and to protect human rights in the Gulf, as it does in the rest of the world.
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) confirmed that UAE is continuing to conduct violations of the decisions given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 23 July 2018, as part of the initial precautionary measures that UAE allow Qatari students to return to study if they want to, or gain access to their academic records, as well as allowing those affected to resort to UAE courts, according to The Peninsula.
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