By Adijata Ziga,South Africa
Copyright dohanews
During the debate, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law”.
In a powerful show of support for Qatar, 78 countries delivered a joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, denouncing Israel’s recent military assault on Doha.
The statement was read by South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, during an urgent debate held as part of the Council’s 60th session, following Israel’s airstrikes on Doha on September 9.
The joint declaration expressed “unwavering support for Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while strongly condemning the attack, calling it a blatant use of force against a peaceful nation committed to mediation and diplomacy.”
Mariam Al-Misnad, Qatar’s representative to the Human Rights Council, in her opening speech called Israel’s attack on Doha an act of “state terrorism” and called on the council to take steps to hold Israel accountable.
“The treacherous aggression that targeted Doha did not only kill the innocents but also attempted to assassinate hope and peace. Children and women lost their right to security, but we will not lose our faith in humanity. Qatar will continue its message: mediation to save lives and preserve human dignity.”
“Targeting the mediating state is an attack on the principle of negotiation itself and a deliberate sabotage of peace efforts,” Al Misnad concluded while affirming that Qatar is confident that the Human Rights Council will not accept any violation of human rights principles and will not tolerate this grave violation.
During the debate, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law”.
This echoed in a statement by other countries that expressed deep concern over the unprecedented targeting of a neutral state engaged in peace mediation, warning that such acts pose a serious threat to international peace and security.
“Attacks on mediating nations do not only set a dangerous precedent that could discourage neutral actors from contributing to conflict resolution but also obstruct peaceful settlement efforts and undermine the promotion and protection of human rights,” the statement read.
The signatories aligned themselves with previous condemnations issued by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The 78 countries further condemned “all forms of aggression, coercion, or threats against neutral or mediating states engaged in good offices between conflicting parties.”
They reaffirmed that such actions constitute violations of international law, particularly the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The statement also underlined the crucial role that neutral mediation plays in facilitating dialogue and sustainable peace.
The statement concluded by praising Qatar’s ongoing commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and its contributions to international mediation efforts.
