(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Agencies
The list of demands presented to State of Qatar by three Gulf countries and Egypt yesterday to end current blockade became a source of shock and sorrow for the whole world as different countries and global institutions expressed their dismay over demands' unrealistic nature.
The demands included the closure of Al Jazeera, downgrading of diplomatic ties with Iran and the shutdown of a Turkish military base, according to the list that was leaked.
"The UAE and Saudi demand that Qatar shut down Al Jazeera does not just punish Qatar; it punishes the millions of Arabs in the region from important news coverage," Human Rights Watch said. This is just an attempted expansion of the cowardly censorship they have inflicted on their own citizens, but it will fail," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director of Human Rights Watch.
Al Jazeera Network termed the demand as an attempt of suppression of people's right to information. 'We in the Network believe that any call for closing down Al Jazeera is nothing but an attempt to silence the freedom of expression in the region and to suppress people's right to information and the right to be heard, Al Jazeera said in a statement.
'We assert our right to practice our journalism professionally without bowing to pressure from any government or authority and we demand that governments respect the freedom of media to allow journalists to continue to do their jobs free of intimidation, threats, and fear-mongering.
'We also call on our peers in the industry, media institutions and other international organizations to re-affirm their solidarity in defending media freedom wherever it may be, particularly when confronted by threats to aggressively silence and suppress free speech and expression.
Since its inception twenty years ago, Al Jazeera said, it has been reporting and telling people's stories from the ground and from all corners of the globe by putting the human being at the heart of the story. 'We remain determined and resolute to continue our courageous journalism, reporting frankly, fairly, and truthfully from around the world.
13 demands from Saudiand other Arab nations
1) Scale down diplomatic ties with Iran and close the Iranian diplomatic missions in Qatar, expel members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and cut off military and intelligence cooperation with Iran. Trade and commerce with Iran must comply with US and international sanctions in a manner that does not jeopardise the security of GCC.
2) Immediately shut down the Turkish military base, which is currently under construction, and halt military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar.
3) Sever ties to all "terrorist, sectarian and ideological organisations," specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIL, Al Qaeda, Fateh Al Sham (formerly known as the Nusra Front) and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Formally declare these entities as terror groups as per the list announced by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt, and concur with all future updates of this list.
4) Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, US and other countries.
5) Hand over "terrorist figures", fugitives and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.
6) Shut down Al Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
7) End interference in sovereign countries' internal affairs. Stop granting citizenship to wanted nationals from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Revoke Qatari citizenship for nationals where such citizenship violates those countries' laws.
8) Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other financial losses caused by Qatar's policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.
9) Align Qatar's military, political, social and economic policies with the other Gulf and Arab countries, as well as on economic matters, as per the 2014 agreement reached with Saudi Arabia.
10) Cease contact with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over files detailing Qatar's prior contact with and support for opposition groups, and submit details of their personal information and the support Qatar has provided them.
11) Shut down all news outlets funded directly and indirectly by Qatar, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Mekameleen and Middle East Eye, etc.
12) Agree to all the demands within 10 days of list being submitted to Qatar, or the list will become invalid.
13) Consent to monthly compliance audits in the first year after agreeing to the demands, followed by quarterly audits in the second year, and annual audits in the following 10 years.
UN offers help to resolve deepening crisis
'Al Jazeera, a network that has continued through the years to win the industry's most prestigious awards for its journalism, considers the call for its closure nothing short of a siege against the journalistic profession.
Another demand in the list calling upon Qatar to shut down the Turkish military base met with clear response from Turkey. Turkey rejected the call from four Arab states, saying the base was 'a guarantor of security in the Gulf and demands for its closure represented interference in its ties with Doha.
Defence Minister Fikri Isik told Turkish broadcaster NTV that he had not yet seen a request for the closure of the base, but made clear Ankara had no plans to review a 2014 agreement with Qatar which led to it being set up. He was speaking after an official from one of the four Arab states boycotting Qatar said they had sent Doha a list of 13 demands including closing down the military installation.
'If there is such a demand, it will mean interference in bilateral ties, Isik said, suggesting instead that Turkey might continue to bolster its presence in Qatar.
'The strengthening of the Turkish base would be a positive step in terms of the Gulf's security, Isik said. 'Reevaluating the base agreement with Qatar is not on our agenda.
Isik said Turkey's presence in Qatar should be seen as a benefit for the whole Gulf. 'The base is both a Turkish base and one that will preserve the security of Qatar and the region, he said.
Boris Johnson, the UK foreign secretary, said that the terms for dialogue between the three Gulf countries and Qatar should be 'measured and realistic.
"The UK calls upon the Gulf states to find a way of de-escalating the situation and lifting the current embargo and restrictions which are having an impact on the everyday lives of people in the region," Johnson added.
International Federation of Journalists yesterday wrote on its website: Saudi Arabia-led coalition today sent an ultimatum to Qatar with 13 demands to be met within the next 10 days in order to end Qatar crisis, including the closure of Al Jazeera and other news outlets funded by Qatar.
'Al Jazeera is a source of information for citizens in the Middle East and beyond. The restriction of freedom of speech and media pluralism in the region risks worsening the crisis, instead of solving it. In addition, dozens of journalists face losing their jobs with devastating effects for them and their families, said IFJ President Philippe Leruth.
Meanwhile, the United Nations offered to step in to help resolve the deepening crisis. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier this week had been adamant that Kuwait was best placed to lead efforts to defuse the crisis.
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