(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera | The Peninsula
As Qatar joined the world in celebrating Human Rights Day on Sunday, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) urged international organisations to stand by the Palestinian people, and called for the lifting of blockade on Qatar and a stop to human rights violations.
'We celebrate the International Human Rights Day in difficult circumstances in which the Arab region is going through the scourge of wars and its effects on civilians, children and women, not to mention the blockade and its repercussions on human rights. As the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Palestinians are living under occupation and siege that goes beyond all international human rights norms and charters, said Maryam bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairman of NHRC.
Speaking at the event on Sunday at Katara Opera House, Al Attiyah stressed NHRC 'condemns any decisions or measures to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and considers it a flagrant violation of international conventions and resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice and UNESCO, as well as an open defiance of the international legal consensus on the status of Jerusalem and a direct threat to international peace and security.
She added: 'The NHRC joins the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Palestine in calling on all national institutions and international organizations to stand by the Palestinian people and end the occupation, and calls for holding an extraordinary session of the UN Human Rights council, and bringing the issue of Jerusalem in the agenda of the meeting.
This year's observance of Human Rights Day comes at a time when the region is going through a critical and sensitive phase, she noted.
'The National Human Rights Committee follows with deep concern the repercussions of the blockade imposed on Qatar and its impact on the human rights of citizens and residents, through which a lot of Gulf families dispersed, social ties cut off, students negatively affected and rights of thousands of people violated including the rights to health, movement, property and religious rites; not to mention calls to violence and hate speech against Qatar and its citizens.
Allow me to use this forum to maintain our position, call for lifting the blockade on Qatar and stop violations of human rights guaranteed by the international law and human rights charters, she stressed.
Human Rights Day also saw the launch of ‘Stand Up for Human Rights' campaign for the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
'It is now 70 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been adopted, during which its principles proved to be able to maintain the stability and security of the world. In recent decades, however, we have witnessed a significant decline in the level of commitment to these principles and human values, especially in the Arab region, where most of the region has become a scene of disputes, wars and political conflicts that have overshadowed human rights and freedoms, said Al Attiyah.
The event featured a concert of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra featuring compositions by Unesco Artist for Peace Marcel Khalife, and Qatari composers Dana Al Fardan, Naser Sahim and Wael Binali.
Katara General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti underscored Katara's belief in the close connection among culture, rights and freedom.
'Katara believes that the cultural rights of a man constitute an asset and a qualitative addition to human rights. Katara always works to promote awareness of human rights, and keen on developing the spirit of cooperation and tolerance; spreading the culture of law, peace and freedom among peoples; respecting the cultural identity of each society; and enriching various cultures, giving them human dimensions and unleashing their creative horizons, he said.
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