Doha, 01 June 2020 (QNA-Qatar Tribune)

he National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has published a book entitled “3 Years Since The Blockade of Qatar”, highlighting the unilateral coercive measures taken by the blockading countries against Qatar when they severed diplomatic relations with Doha on June 5, 2017.

The book contains statistics on violations of human rights and freedoms committed by the three Gulf blockading states — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain — against Qatar and there are also international reports on the violations, international provisions and decisions against the blockade of Qatar, conclusions, legal description and recommendations.

There is also a profile of the NHRC in terms of its establishment, functions, and its role in protecting human rights at all levels, and its obtaining of (a) rating from the accreditation subcommittee of the Global alliance of National human Rights institutions. The report said the total violations of human rights and freedoms monitored and documented by the NHRC as a result of the blockade reached 4,275, including the right to movement, residence, ownership, education, health, work, litigation, the right to family reunification, freedom of opinion, arbitrary detention, forced incitement to violence, hatred and the right to practice religious rites. a total of 2,448 violations by Saudi Arabia, 1,225 by the UAE, and 602 by Bahrain have been documented.

The book also touched on a series of periodic reports prepared by the NHRC to monitor the negative effects of the blockade on human rights in Qatar, including reports of special violations such as the report on deprivation of religious rites, report on the violation of the right to property, report on the violation of the right to food and medicine, and report on the violation of the right to education. It also included the reports of general violations, including the report of the Fourth Committee for Human rights Violations of Qatar as a result of the blockade, titled ‘Six Months of Violations, What Next’, another report entitled “A year after the continuation of human rights violations by the blockading countries”, and the report ‘After six months have passed’. Non-compliance by the United Arab Emirates with the decisions of the International Court of Justice, January 15, 2019, then another general report entitled ‘One and a half years since the decision of the International Court of Justice ... The United Arab emirates continues to violate human rights’, January 2020.

The booklet also highlighted the international rulings and decisions against the blockade of Qatar, including what was issued by the International Court of Justice and the International Committee for the elimination of All Forms of racial Discrimination in Geneva.

The book, titled ‘Conclusions and Legal Characterisation’, noted that the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have violated, through their unilateral arbitrary measures, several principles and agreements of the international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the International Convention on the elimination of All Forms of racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on economic, social and Cultural rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, the Convention on Women and Children, Persons with Disabilities, and Forced Disappearance, in addition to the Arab Charter for Human rights and the GCC Declaration of Human rights.

The blockading countries also flagrantly violated the Chicago agreement by prohibiting the movement of Qatari civil aviation over their territories without any military necessity or reasons related to public security. The book concluded with recommendations prepared by the NHRC for all concerned parties to take necessary and possible measures to lift the blockade and the resulting violations, and demanding compensation for all the damage caused to all individuals.

The NHRC submitted these recommendations to the United Nations, the Human rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human rights and the blockeding countries, the General secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf states (GCC) and the Qatari government.

The book has been published in three languages: Arabic, English and French. It was posted on the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) website.

Doha, 01 June 2020 (Qatar Tribune)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Ambassador of Moldova to Qatar H. E.  Prof. Victor Tvircon has thanked The Amir His Highness sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for sending medical assistance to Moldova to help combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune, ambassador Tvircon described Qatar’s medical supplies to his country as an important and life-saving gesture for a country that is confidently battling the coronavirus pandemic. He termed the assistance as a significant move in the history of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Qatar.

On behalf of the president, government and the citizens of Moldova, the envoy praised the wise leader-ship of The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He said Moldova is thankful for the medical assistance delivered by Qatar, saying: “Our country will never forget the solidarity of our Qatari friends which helps to save lives.”

The envoy said Qatar’s medical assistance is the first-ever humanitarian assistance by any Arab country to Moldova, which makes the gesture even more special. Prof Tvircon has been non-resident ambassador of Moldova to Qatar in 2003 when he was based in Ankara. He said, “It is great to be back in Qatar, this time in my capacity as resident ambassador of Moldova. I am proud to be the first envoy of my country to Qatar and first in an Arab country to contribute to the establishment of solid diplomatic relations between both the countries."

He said he was also present at the time of signing of document of diplomatic relations between the two countries on June 13, 1997, adding that the event gave him the motivation and energy to continue expanding the cooperation between Qatar and Moldova. The ambassador said arriving shortly before the pandemic gave him the chance to see Qatar and feel the life here as he was able to observe the rapid and robust development Qatar has been witnessing in the past few years, such as in the areas of impressive infrastructure, professional services, expanded economy and others.

“Currently, I feel safe as a resident of Qatar and I fully trust the public policies adopted by the Qatari leadership. We have strong plans for great ambitious activities this year, which we will try to achieve,” he said.Talking about the economic relations, the envoy said the trade figures between the two countries are promising with lots of potential.  He said, “This is why our country is undertaking various activities to improve the figures and make itself more known here in Qatar.

Generally speaking, we export to the Qatari market agricultural produce, such as fruits and meat products. However,there is potential for exportation of walnuts and honey products too.”He added, “Allow me to say that with the existent potentials and the favourable legislation based on financial incentives, free economic zones and other facilitations for investments, Moldova can be of great interest in attracting Qatari investments to its economy. There are tremendous opportunities in the agricultural, construction, education sectors. Another strong sector for investments is the IT communications, where many foreign com-panies make use of the educated and skilled labour force available in my country. The government offers incentive to companies that want to establish in Moldova.

Highlighting the other areas of interests, Prof Tvircon listed sectors such as tourism, where Moldova has unique features to offer to the local market, such as ecotourism and hunting. “We also want more Qatari  companies to participate in the specialised forums and exhibitions as well as organised business trips.“We are in the unique position where we need to mutually promote each other country’s image, so that it will be easier to build bridges of cooperation between        Moldova and Qatar,” he said.

Replying to a query about any changes in his daily routine due to the pandemic impact, he said that work never stops. “Although it might look like when embassies are closed to the public, there will be less work. Actually, there’s a lot of backstage responsibilities that have to be fulfilled, ranging from administrative tasks to political cooperation,  so, I turn to embassy daily with my team to manage these tasks,” the envoy added.

He said the coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the importance of solidarity of people in combating crisis, the value of human life and joint intellectual and material efforts for the prevention of such pandemics in future.

The pandemic is on track to be the country’s deadliest public health disaster since the 1918 flu pandemic, in which about 675,000 Americans died.

Kabul, May 26 (Xinhua News)

A total of 900 Taliban inmates were freed from Afghan government's prisons on Tuesday in the latest move to further advance the intra-Afghan peace talks, a spokesperson for the Office of the National Security Council confirmed.

"The government released 900 Taliban prisoners today to further advance peace efforts, including an extended ceasefire and the immediate start of intra-Afghan peace talks," spokesman Javid Faisal tweeted.

The move came after Taliban militants announced a three-day ceasefire during Eid al-Fitr festival, starting from Sunday. Taliban militants have reportedly agreed to extend the ceasefire for another four days or more.

On Monday, the second day of the festival, the government released 100 Taliban from Bagram prison in eastern Parwan province.

On March 11, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued a decree to release 5,000 Taliban inmates on parole and Taliban agreed to release 1,000 soldiers but the exchange of prisoners was repeatedly delayed.

As of May 10, some 1,000 Taliban fighters and 200 Afghan government soldiers had been freed by the two sides, but the exchange process had been suspended over some disputes.

The exchange of prisoners is part of a peace deal inked between the Taliban and the United States in Qatar in February. However, the Afghan government was not a signatory of the deal.

Doha, 27 May 2020 (Qatar Tribune)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Envoy thanks Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar al Baker for support amid COVID-19

AMBASSADOR of Argentina to Qatar HE Carlos Hernandez has hinted that he is working with the new Qatari Ambassador to Argentina HE Battal alDosari to build on the already strong bilateral ties betweenQatar and Argentina.

In an exclusive online interview with Qatar Tribune, Hernandez said he enjoyed good understanding with Dosari, who was appointed as ambassador of Qatar to Argentina last year, and was hopeful of resumption of the joint work in this regard in near future. He said, “Unfortunately, a lot of the activities that we had planned for this year had to be cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic. But, we are positive that things will improve in near future and we will be able to carry our plans forward.”

He also thanked Qatar Airways for its remarkable role in evacuating stranded Argentinians from the South East and Australasia and bringing them home.
Hernandez expressed his gratitude to Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar al Baker, Vice President Fatti Athi and General Manager Miguel von der Heyden for making it possible amid coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He said the national air carrier of Qatar has the distinction of being among the few airlines operating in the present pandemic. The Argentinian ambassador added that he is also working closely with the Qatari ambassador to rescue “our citizens stranded all around the world”.

Speaking on his daily routine amid pandemic, Hernandez said that he stays indoors and moves out only when necessary. “Earlier, we had meetings, gatherings  and dinners almost everyday, but since the pandemic started we barely leave the house. Now, we go out only if we have to buy medicines and grocery. I also
visit the embassy occasionally with my team.”

He said that he avoids personal meetings unless in exceptional and extremely urgent cases. The Argentinian envoy, however, pointed out that it has hardly affected his work as most of the work is carried online. He said that he reads books as usual and keeps in touch with most of his colleagues back home.

He added that he is also in regular contact with the Argentine ambassadors to Southeast Asia, Australasia, South African in addition to those heading Argentinian
diplomatic missions in Europe, Latin America and the USA owing to issue of evacuation of stranded Argentinian citizens. “Coordinating flights when most borders and airports around the world are closed is not an easy task, because you need hundreds of authorisations. My cellphone is all the time ringing  nowadays.

We also have to hold video conferences and virtual meetings frequently”, he remarked. Responding to a query, Hernandez said that the pandemic would leave a lasting impact on people’s lifestyles, which would stay on until a vaccine was available for everyone. “In my country COVID-19 is not the only pandemic we
are facing. We also have cases of dengue fever all around the country”, the envoy said. The ambassador informed further that the Argentine President decided to prioritise life over economy and a mandatory lockdown has been in force since March 20 and renewed ever since.

Doha, 23 May 2020

Following the preventive measures by State of Qatar in combating from spread of pandemic Covid-19, suspension of congregational prayers including five daily obligatory prayers, Friday prayer and Eid Al Fitr prayers will remain suspended until public health condition becomes safer for worshipers, the announcement was repeated once again today late evening.

Eid Al Fitr prayers for 1443 H. on completion of holy month of Ramadan will take place ONLY at Masjid Imam Muhammad Abdulwahab not exceeding 40 people including Imam Masjid, Moazan and other Masjid staff.

The prayer will be transmitted to the public on television and radio, however, it is not permissible to perform prayers at home or else where by listening radio, television or any other means of communication.

It is also given surety by the Ministry of  Endowment and Religious Affairs of State of Qatar that it has regular contact with the competent authorities and as clearance of the pandemic is issued, Masajid will be opened for the worshipers.

Doha, Friday, May 20, 2020 (Qatar Tribune)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Qatar has responded admirably to the COVID-19 pandemic, with effective economic measures that have preserved the high financial rating of Qatar in world markets, the Ambassador of Dominican Republic to Qatar HE Dr Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo has said.

In an exclusive online interview with Qatar Tribune, Camilo said that Qatar tested an impressive number of over 20,000 per million at increasing daily rates and provided effective treatments on a non-discriminatory basis for residents, resulting in very low fatality rate, which is among the lowest in the world.
The ambassador said that it clearly reflected the timely and wise decisions taken by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.

The envoy urged people to stay home, wash hands frequently, wear masks if they must go out, and download the official Qatar government app to stay safe from the pandemic.

Talking about his daily routine during COVID-19, he said while the embassy was following the instructions of the Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas to work remotely and to provide only priority and urgent services, at the personal level, he was spending time with family and reading books.

The ambassador said the bilateral relations between Qatar and the Dominican Republic are in progress with a mutual understanding to promote Doha as a hub for tourism in the Americas and the Dominican Republic in the Asian continent. The renewed emphasis on health will enhance tourism between the two countries, he noted.

Praising Qatar Airways (QA), Camilo said the national airline of Qatar is doing a great job by providing services to stranded passengers in different parts of the world and delivering cargo supplies.

The envoy, who has trained as an economic researcher, said the lockdown has provided him with ample time to resume the publication of his weekly opinion pieces as well as producing and publishing research papers.

The pandemic, he said, would have a lasting impact on the style of working of people and many of the works will be carried out from home in the post-COVID scenario.

Doha, 20 May 2020 (Qatar Tribune)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

THE People’s Republic of China was the first to caution the world against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Ambassador to Qatar HE Zhou Jian has said.

Talking to Qatar Tribune, the ambassador said that China approached the World Health Organisation (WHO) and also invited its team to visit Wuhan, the centre of COVID-19 in Hubei province. Subsequently, on January 1, 2020, the WHO set up the Incident Management Support Team (IMST) at the levels of headquarter, region and country to deal with the outbreak of COVID-19 on an urgent basis. Describing the timeline of events further, the ambassador said the WHO reported
on January 4 through its social media account that “there was a cluster of pneumonia cases with no deaths in Wuhan”. It published its first report on the outbreak on its website on January 5. Thailand was the first country outside China to report its first COVID-19 case on January 13.

Sharing China’s experience of handling the pandemic successfully, Jian said self-quarantine is the most effective way of keeping oneself protected from the virus.
“Let’s believe in science rather than rumours. Stay home, stay healthy and remain optimistic.” He said boredom is natural during self-quarantine and one should devise ways to overcome it. He said that besides working, he does jogging, watches Chinese comedies and calls his family everyday to keep himself in good
spirits.

He added that he also meditates and spends weekends playing table tennis and reading books, which are both his hobbies. “We all should get used to the new norm of life,” he noted. He said that as a diplomat, he has cancelled several external activities and meetings of the embassy while most of the embassy staff work from home, strictly abiding by Qatar’s COVID-19 prevention measures, and following social distancing.

The envoy said that the cooperation between Qatar and China to fight the pandemic has brought people of the two countries even closer. He said he was keeping in touch with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as well as many other departments of Qatar Government through phone to discuss enhancing cooperation.

Meanwhile, he urged Chinese community members and other residents of Qatar to strictly follow the guidelines of the government to keep the virus at bay, including washing hands, putting on masks, and avoid going out unless necessary

Doha, 19 May 2020

Dr Syed Manzar Hasan, eminent fiction writer from Pakistan and Noor ul Husnain from India, are declared recipient of 24th International Urdu Literary Award for the year 2020 from Qatar. Mohammad Atiq, former banker and Chairman of prestigious Qatar based Urdu literary forum 'Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab' announced recently from Doha.

Prestigious literary award from Doha, Qatar carries a cash prize of Rs150,000 and a gold medal for each winner. The award is given every year to two literary scholars, one from India and the other from Pakistan, for their contribution to Urdu language and literature in the form of creative fiction and research/criticism.

Dr. Syed Manzar Hasan known in literary circle as Hasan Manzar, was recently chosen unanimously by an independent jury at a meeting held in Lahore, literary hub of Pakistan.  The jury was consisted of Dr Khurshid Rizvi, (Chairman), Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, Prof Dr Mazhar Mahmood Shairani and Prof Dr Zahid Munir Amer. Daud Ahmed Malik was the coordinator.

Urdu language literary prestigious award ceremony has been held normally in last quarter of every year followed  by a grand Mushaira (poetry reciting session) as per Majlis tradition. The award carries a cash prize of Rs150,000 and a gold medal for each winner. Since 1996, as a life time achievement award has been given annually to two literary scholars, one from Pakistan and the other from India, for their contribution to the promotion of Urdu language and literature.

Dr Manzar Hasan is recipient twice of 'Academy of Letters Award', 'United Bank Award', Sindh Government 'Shaikh Ayaz Award' and 'Best Book Award' on his novel ‘Ay Falak Na Insaaf’ at the Oxford Literature Festival, 2020.

by education a graduate in medicine from King Edward Medical College in 1958 from Lahore, Pakistan also hold two separate postgraduate DPM degrees in Psychiatry from University of Edinburgh and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow, UK. He has served in Central Excise and Land Customs Hospital, Karachi, as a Surgeon at a Dutch Merchant Ship, then moved to work in a Gulf State, in Africa and has been teaching in Malaysia. From his very young age had literary atmosphere from his parents side and later spouse Dr. Tahira Manzar, a literary personality supported him meeting his thirst for literature in genes.

On his works in his own wordings in an interview with Voice of America in 1995, he had said that his stories are inspired and based on our society's ground realities from the lives of  ordinary people, without any big dreams and lacks opportunities, victims of oppression and violence, facing pains and injustice.

Among his books on short stories include 'Rehai' (1981), 'Nadeedi' (1983), 'Insaan Ka Desh' (1991), 'Soi Bhook' (1997), 'Ek Aur Aadmi'(1999), 'Khaak Ka Rutba' (2007), 'Mangal Sootr', Translated works in Urdu language from works of Hindi legend writer Munshi Prem Chand (1991 and 1998). Among these include 'Prem Chand Ghar Mein',  'Shiv Rani Devi', and 'Jhijak'.

Among books for children include 'Samunder Mein Jang' (2001) and 'Jaan Ke Dushman' (2004). Among his novels include 'Al-Asifa' (2006), 'Dhani Bakhsh Ke Bete' (2008), 'Waba' (2009), 'Maa Beti' (2010) and 'Ber Sheeba Ki Ladhki' (2010). and

Among his translated works also include 'Waka' (from Hindi 2010), 'Insaan Ay Insaan' (2013), 'Manzar Ke Khutoot Kamal Azhar Ke Naam' (2011), 'Habs' and 'Ay Falak Na Insaaf'.

A drama series titled 'Sadar-e-Mumlakat Ka Khudrau Phool' is under printing.

He has couple of books in English language also like 'A Requiem for the Earth: OUP', 'Karachi' (1998) and 'The End of Human History: Katha, Delhi'. (1999).

Noorul Hasnain, by profession has served with All India Radio is a highly acclaimed fiction writer, columnist and journalist of the current era. His first story ‘Insaniyat’, was published in Daily Hindustan, Mumbai, as a  student of 7th standard.

Noorul Hasnain was chosen unanimously by an independent jury headed by Prof. Dr. Gopi Chand Narang, Prof. Shafey Kidwai, Sheen Kaaf Nizam and Prof' Haqqani al Qasmi as members.

Noorul Hasnain was born on March 19, 1950 in Aurangabad, India. His stories mostly cover social and political topics. Among his published four collections of short stories include 'Simat’te Daire' (1985), 'Mor Raqs Aur Tamashai' (1988), 'Gadhi Me Utarti Sham' (1999) and 'Faqat Bayan Tak' (2012).

Among his creativity in novels include ‘Ahankaar’, ‘Aewano ke Khwabeda Chiragh’, ‘Chand Hum Se Baten Karta Hai’ and ‘Tilkal Aiyyam.’

Doha, Qatar, 18 May 2020

Qatar Airways has further enhanced its onboard safety measures for passengers and cabin crew. The airline is implementing several changes, including the introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits for cabin crew while onboard, as well as a modified service that reduces interactions between the passengers and the crew inflight. Cabin crew have already been wearing PPE during flights for a number of weeks, including gloves and face masks.

Cabin crew will wear the PPE suit over their uniforms in addition to safety goggles, gloves and a mask to provide even greater reassurance to customers in addition to enhanced hygienic measures already in place. The airline now requires passengers from Monday, May 25, to wear face coverings inflight and recommends people bring their own for fit and comfort purposes

The airline has also applied other additional health and safety measures onboard its flights, Business Class meals will be served on a tray instead of a table set up, and a cutlery wrap will be offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery service, in an effort to reduce contact between the crew and the passengers. While in Economy Class, all meals and cutlery are served sealed as usual. Additionally, large bottles of hand sanitiser will be placed in the galleys and made available for both cabin crew and passengers. All social areas onboard the aircraft have also been closed to observe social distancing measures.

Passengers flying Business Class can avail of the enhanced privacy the Qsuite provides include sliding privacy partitions and fully closing doors creating a private sanctuary. Passengers can also opt to the ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indicator in their private suite, if they wish to limit their interactions with the cabin crew.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we have  introduced these additional safety measures onboard our flights to ensure the continued health and well being of our passengers and cabin crew, and to limit the spread of coronavirus. As an airline, we maintain the highest possible hygiene standards to ensure that we can fly people home safely during this time and provide even greater reassurance that safety is our number one priority.

“Seeing as we are still flying the world’s largest international network by operating flights to more than 30 destinations around the world, and aiming to grow our network again in the coming months, these onboard safety measures will assist us in achieving our goals.”

The statement issued by the airline says Qatar Airways continues to implement the highest standards of health and safety. Its aircraft are regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its home airport, Hamad International Airport, has also invested in deploying disinfectant robots, fully autonomous mobile emitting concentrated UV-C light known to be effective in eliminating majority of infectious microorganisms.