British parliamentary team visit Doha, calls for urgent lifting of illegal siege
As Qatar enters the fourth month of an illegal siege placed on it by neighbouring countries, pressure is mounting for it to be lifted.
A British Parliamentary Inquiry Committee, charged by the British Parliament to investigate violations during the siege, called for its immediate lifting after terming it as illegal and violating all international and humanitarian conventions and laws, reported Gulf Times.
In a Press conference held at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in Doha, committee head MP J Morse said that all cases that were affected by the siege were real and consistent with evidence.
He said he met with a number of the NHRC officials and siege victims and received from them documented violations.
“These violations are painful, especially with regard to reunification, health, education, private property, labour, investment, mobility and the exercise of religious rites,” he said.
The top official said that the siege imposed on Qatar was unilateral and violates the basic human rights that should be respected rather than violated, reported The Peninsula.
He also pointed out that there are international obligations on the countries to abide by them, stressing that it is in everyone’s interest that the current Gulf crisis be resolved urgently.
“We found cases of media violations. For example in Al Jazeera, we saw cases where journalists were harassed or not allowed to travel and were subjected to imprisonment. But the worst were the cases of splitting of families or children who were forced to discontinue their education which amounted to serious violations,” Morris was quoted as saying by Qatar Tribune.
The committee has been tasked with consolidating findings of individual members of this Parliamentary Inquiry Committee and submitting a report to the British parliament. It is hoped that it will help the country push for the ultimate ,lifting of the blockade.
Picture courtesy: The Peninsula
