Qatar refutes Saudi Arabia’s claims
SANAA, March 3 (YPA) – Qatar has launched a verbal attack against Saudi Arabia during its participation in the Human Rights Council at its fortieth session in Geneva.
“Referring to the report of the former Special Rapporteur, Mr. Ben Emmerson, on his visit to Saudi Arabia, my delegation would like to express its concern regarding the broad definition of terrorism adopted in The State concerned “, the Second Secretary of Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Mahmoud Abdullah Al-Siddiqi said during his speech.
“In this regard, the State of Qatar condemns the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the issuance of lists prepared unilaterally under false pretences and contrary to international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and based on false claims under the auspices of terrorism,” he continued.
“Individuals and entities, including charities with joint cooperation agreements with the United Nations and many international organizations, have been included and used as an instrument of political and economic pressure, in flagrant violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of these individuals, and limits the capacity of these Institutions to carry out their humanitarian activities, particularly in developing countries.”
Al-Siddiqi concluded by saying: “In conclusion, the country officer wondered to what extent the inclusion of civil society organizations in lists of terrorism developed unilaterally outside the United Nations system affected the efforts of those organizations to protect and promote human rights and provide humanitarian aid.”
Qatar has been under diplomatic and economic sanctions by Saudi Arabia ever since June 2017, causes primarily by Qatar’s independent course in foreign policy and perceived economic threat to Saudi hegemony in the area.
Riyadh routinely accuses Doha of supporting terrorism because of its support to the international Muslim Brotherhood. Ironically, the Saudi kingdom is the world’s biggest supporter and financier of Wahhabi terrorist organisations worldwide.
E.M