Maat foundation issue complaint to UN against Qatari arbitrary measures towards citizens

BY

-

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 - 06:50 GMT

BY

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 - 06:50 GMT

CAIRO – 2 December 2020: Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights renewed its complaint to the United Nations against Qatar, after the authorities have ignored the foundation previous calls to cancel the travel ban, and citizens imprisonment, including a member of the ruling family, as punishment for their legitimate practice of peacefully expressing their views.

Last October, Maat sent complaints to the United Nations and to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights, regarding the travel ban imposed by Qatari authorities against Sheikh Saud Khalifa Al Thani. The ban was based on an executive decision by the State Security Agency issued on May 2, 2019.

The complaint also included the situation of Qatari businessman, Abdullah Ahmad Al Mohannadi, who was also banned from traveling by the authorities since 2013 without mentioning any reasons for this ban

In another complaint, Maat called on the Qatari authorities to lift the ban imposed on human rights defender Najeeb Muhammad Al-Nuaimi who was the former Minister of Justice, and was known for his opposition to the Qatari government and its policies.

Another Qatari citizen called Muhammad Yusef al-Sulaiti was arbitrarily arrested and prevented from traveling without his reasons or clear accusations.

In an official statement, Maat affirmed that the arbitrary measures taken by Qatar against the four citizens violate the right to freedom of expression guaranteed under international human rights law, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Qatar has ratified under Decree No. 40 of 2018.

Maat called on the United Nations to quickly intervene and end all the arbitrary measures against the four Qatari citizens, and remove their names from the travel ban lists long with releaseing the detainees.

Maat also called on the Qatari authorities to amend the laws which are used to restrict basic freedoms, especially Law No. 5 of 2003.

Ayman Aqil, Head of Maat Foundation, called on the Qatari authorities during the statmnet to stop this pattern of ‘revenge against peaceful opponents’ and to guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and peaceful expression, as required by international treaties signed by Qatar.

 

 

 

Comments

0

Leave a Comment

Be Social