Qatar: UN Voices Concern Over Negative Impact Of Blockade

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, voiced concern over the potential impact on the human rights of many people on the heels of the decision by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt to sever diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.

In a statement on Wednesday, the UN official described the measures that have been taken as too wide in scope and implementation and seriously impede the lives of thousands of women, children and men only because they belong to one of the nationalities of the countries involved in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain have issued directives to address humanitarian needs for families with common nationalities however these measures are not effective enough to address all cases, he stressed.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern that the UAE and Bahrain threaten to imprison and fine anyone who sympathizes with the State of Qatar or opposes his government’ actions, describing these measures as a ‘clear violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’

He urged all States concerned to resolve the crisis through dialogue as soon as possible, refrain from taking any actions that would affect the well-being, health and employment of their citizens and respect their obligations under international human rights law.