#Weareqatar: Qatar not to take action against residents from nations that cut ties

For about a week now, Qatar has been pushing back against a co-ordinated effort by several GCC nations to interfere with its policies, which threatens the stability of the region.

As part of pressure tactics, countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE had asked Qatari citizens in those countries to leave within two weeks.

However, severe criticisms arose that this was a human rights violation because it tore apart families and kept them apart forcibly.

Qatar, on the other hand, has declared that it will not reciprocate the action on people from those countries living here.

“Qatar, in accordance with its firm beliefs and principles, works on avoiding political conflicts with states and governments when dealing with their people. Qatar will not take any measures against its residents who hold the nationalities of countries that severed diplomatic ties or lowered diplomatic representations with Qatar, on the back of hostile and tendentious campaigns against the country,” Gulf Times quoted a statement from the Ministry of Interior as saying.

“Residents from these countries have complete freedom in staying in the State of Qatar in accordance with the laws and regulations adopted by the state, through a work contract approved by their countries or an entry visa granted to them,” according to The Peninsula.

Earlier too, Qatar’s communications office had gently urged its citizens and residents to mind ‘Islamic and Arab values’ on social media during the standoff.

#Qatar has asked its citizens and residents to take the high road and speak respectfully of other leaders! #GulfCrisis pic.twitter.com/9osgJSWyDP

— Sobia Khan (@UmmAasiya) June 9, 2017

“Based on the principles of our true Islamic religion, our humanitarian values and our authentic Qatari culture, we call on all those who live on this good land to rise and continue to avoid responding similarly to the abuses that spread in various means of mass communication. We also call upon you to show more responsibility, of which you are well known, and not to insult countries, their leaders or peoples,” the statement had said.