Qatar Says Human Rights Protection Major Corner of State Policy

New York, November 17 (QNA) - Qatar pays great attention to enhancing, respecting and protecting human rights, which constitute a major corner of its policy and a strategic choice in the country's comprehensive reform process, Yousuf Sultan Laram, Qatar's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks before the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Article 63 about the Human Rights Council's report. The Qatari diplomat noted that Qatar National Vision includes several pillars in the fields of education, environment, health, women empowerment and child rights that aim to build a safe and stable society steered by principles of justice, equality and the rule of law. He stressed Qatar's keenness on taking up a constructive and effective role in protecting and enhancing human rights on the national, regional and international levels. "Our active participation during our membership in the Human Rights Council has reflected this keenness," he said, adding that Qatar remains committed to fulfill its pledges in this area, and looks forward to continuing to provide all forms of cooperation and support for U.N. human rights mechanisms in order to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms all over the world. He said that Qatar's reviewing of its second national report before the panel on the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPR) provided a platform for introducing Qatar's policies in enhancing and protecting human rights and highlighting the progress made in this regard. Laram added that Qatar has acted upon recommendations made about its first national report including the amendment of its penal code, the enactment of a law on combating human trafficking in order to protect victims and to promote international cooperation in this area, and the establishment of the Qatar National Committee for the International Humanitarian Law (NCIHL) in recognition of the importance of implementing principles of international humanitarian law to protect victims of disputes. The diplomat noted that Qatar has made great efforts on the legislative and institutional fronts to spread awareness for the enhancement and implementation of human rights and basic freedoms of people with disabilities by launching the "One Billion Strong" global initiative. Qatar's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Yousuf Sultan Laram expressed concern about the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and other occupied Arab territories, saying: "We would like to particularly point out that Human Rights Council resolution 29/25 reaffirmed the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and expressed deep concern about the fragmentation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, by building settlements."     The resolution, he added, expressed concern about the continuing systematic violations of human rights of the Palestinian people by Israel, the occupying Power, including that arising from the excessive use of force, and military operations against Palestinian civilians, including women and children and peaceful demonstrators. The deputy permanent representative to the United Nations stressed what the Human Rights Council demanded in its resolution an end of all practices that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people and full respect for human rights law.    He pointed out that the Human Rights Council's respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria was very important, especially in light of the serious deterioration of the human rights situation, and the killing of civilians and targeting them deliberately, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and its principles.      The deputy permanent representative to the United Nations pointed to the Human Rights Council resolution 16/27 which condemned the non-cooperation of the Syrian regime with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, and also condemned all indiscriminate attacks, including attacks by explosive barrels against civilian populated areas and against civilian infrastructure. Concluding his statement, Yusuf Sultan Laram reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to continue to play a constructive and neutral role, to contribute effectively to the efforts of promoting and protecting human rights, and to cooperate fully with international organizations and UN bodies, particularly the Human Rights Council, for the sake of human rights promotion and protection. (END)