More than a year after the illegal siege of Qatar began, the country has won a major victory in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The United Nations’ top court, in a detailed verdict announced today, has found that the UAE’s measures imposed as part of the illegal siege amounts to racial discrimination, reported Al Jazeera.
Breaking: Huge news — Qatar wins ICJ case, the court found #UAE in violation of Articles 1 & 5 against nationals of #Qatar
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) July 23, 2018
• ICJ rules #UAE must reunite families (separated because of the air blockade)
• UAE must allow students to travel & finish to finish their studies
In June 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, had imposed a complete blockade against Qatar and severed ties with it.
PRESS RELEASE: The #ICJ delivers its Order on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Qatar in the case concerning the Application of CERD (#Qatar v. #UnitedArabEmirats) : https://t.co/MGt1aTBR0T pic.twitter.com/b9A7sLtgpP
— CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) July 23, 2018
Last month, Qatar had filed a case against the UAE at the ICJ, accusing them of violating international laws by pushing out thousands of Qataris, many who have family or own property in the UAE, and closing UAE airspace and seaports to Qatar.
Qatar said the boycott violated the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) — including discrimination on the basis of nationality — a treaty signed by both the UAE and Qatar.
On Monday, ICJ judges ruled that Qatari families affected by the UAE’s measures must be reunited, imposing a measure before The Hague-based court hears in full the discrimination case.
It also ruled that affected students should be given an opportunity to complete their studies in the UAE or retain records of their studies to be able to continue education elsewhere.
Finally, they ruled Qataris should be allowed access to judicial services in the UAE.
“Many Qataris residing in the UAE appeared to have been forced to leave their place of residence without the possibility of return,” the judges’ ruling said.
“There’s an imminent risk that the measures adopted by the UAE could lead to irreparable prejudice to the rights invoked by Qatar.”
Lulwa Al Khater, Qatar's foreign ministry spokeswoman, welcomed the ruling.
“This is only the first step on a long road to defend our rights, but at the same time this sends an early strong signal that there will be no tolerance shown to countries that take arbitrary measures against Qataris,” she was quoted as saying by the Qatar News Agency.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues an order granting the State of Qatar's request for provisional measures against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a case relating to the UAE's unlawful discriminatory treatment of Qatari citizens
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) requires the UAE to immediately allow Qatari-UAE mixed families, who were separated due to UAE procedures, to reunite
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
ICJ also said the Qatari students should be given the opportunity to complete their studies in the UAE or to retain records of their studies to be able to continue their education elsewhere.
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also ruled that Qataris should be allowed access to judicial services in the UAE
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
HE Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Court's order. She stated, "Qatar is very pleased that the Court has not been not affected by attempts to repudiate and change the facts, and taken decisive steps to minimize their effect on our people".
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
National Human Rights Committee welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice today on interim measures in accordance with the case brought before it by the State of Qatar against the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/rUwNidpE0s
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
National Human Rights Committee confirms that the decision of the International Court of Justice is in the interest of those affected by the discriminatory decisions and actions taken by the UAE authorities against citizens and residents of the State of Qatar
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
National Human Rights Committee warns that the decision of the International Court of Justice against the UAE comes to refute all claims made by the UAE and the countries of the blockade, and proves beyond any doubt that the measures taken are collective and discriminatory
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) July 23, 2018
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