Human rights org. calls for Qatari opposition protection

CAIRO – 17 October 2017: In the face of continuous suppression conducted by Qatar against the opposition, chairman of the United National Organization for Human Rights Mohammed Abdel Moniem, called for the protection of peaceful Qatari activists. He said Qatar spares no effort to repress them, using approaches that violate international human rights laws.

Describing Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as a dictatorial tyrant, Abdel-Moniem condemned storming the palace of Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim Al-Thani in Doha on Thursday by the Qatari authorities, describing the step as a serious abuse of authority.

Abdel-Moniem stated he will submit a memorandum to the United Nations Human Rights Council, demanding advocacy for the peaceful activits in Qatar and launching investigations on abuses committed against Qatari people calling for political reform.

Qatar’s suppression techniques against the opposition ranges from revoking citizenships to freezing bank accounts, in an attempt to contain the opposition’s impact internally and prevent more from coming forth.

On Thursday, an armed force of the Qatari security forces raided the palace of Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim Al-Thani in Doha and confiscated documents and possessions belonging to his father, former Foreign Minister Sheikh Suhaim bin Hamad.

The security forces confiscated about 137 cases and a number of iron cabinets containing all of Sheikh Sultan's documents and possessions, in addition to a vast archive that accurately documents the history of Qatar.

There was an escalation from the Qatari ruling family against Tamim. The Qatari regime had frozen all assets belonging to Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al-Thani, one of the most prominent Qatari figures to speak out against the government in the ongoing crisis involving Doha.

Amid unstable circumstances in Qatar following the recent Qatari crisis, there are anticipations on the possible candidates to rule Qatar after Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, son of the late Emir of Qatar, Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani, is the forerunner candidate to succeed Tamim, according to Egypt Today’s previous interviews with political professors.