Geneva: Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Naser Abdullah Al Hayyen, reiterated the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states' condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the assault launched by the Israeli occupation on Qatar, stressing that it represents a dangerous precursor that undermines the pillars of regional and global peace and security.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Hayyen addressed members of the UN Human Rights Council following the council's approval of convening an emergency session on the Israeli occupation's aggression against Qatar at his request, in his capacity as Chairman of the GCC Ambassadors' Council. He emphasized the importance of holding an urgent discussion to send a clear message that attacks on nations' sovereignty and the undermining of peace and security are utterly rejected, which would have dire consequences on the pillars of the international system, with foremost priority given to human rights protection and prevention from violations.
Al Hayyen highlighted that these acts lead to security and humanitarian implications that negatively impact the environment for promoting and respecting human rights. He stated that the Human Rights Council is meant to examine situations that compromise the protection and promotion of human rights by discussing the broader fallout of such violations of international law, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/251.
Defending international law and human rights is a collective responsibility shouldered by all and shapes the core message of the UN Human Rights Council, Al Hayyen said. He added that the State of Qatar had come under attack from the Israeli occupation on Sept. 9, in a breach of its sovereignty as a member of the United Nations, as well as international law and the UN Charter.
This assault drew broader condemnations from a variety of regional and global parties, particularly the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with a presidential statement issued by the Security Council condemning the attack because it represents an escalation in a region suffering from successive crises, Al Hayyen emphasized.
The ambassador noted the role undertaken by Qatar in mediation and dialogue to settle conflicts and bolster stability. He highlighted that targeting a nation that undertakes this kind of role would relay negative messages and compromise international efforts to resolve disputes through peaceful means and prevent violations.
The UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted the request submitted by GCC states, alongside a similar request submitted by Pakistan at the behest of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to convene an emergency session on the Israeli aggression against Qatar.