Doha, 09 May 2019

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) of Qatar has condemned the smear campaigns launched by officials of the United Arab Emirates against the Committee.

A statement issued by NHRS reads as follows :

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) follows with regret and great concern the smear campaigns questioning its credibility including the unfounded reckless allegations made by some officials in the United Arab Emirates. The National Human Rights Committee of Qatar considers these vicious campaigns as a failed attempt added to previous attempts to distort and obstruct its work as an independent national institution accredited ‘A’ status by the Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

The campaigns launched against the NHRC are part of the UAE's systematic campaign launched against human rights advocates and international organizations, including Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch…etc.

Despite the complaint previously lodged by the UAE against the NHRC before the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), they have confirmed their support for the National Human Rights Committee and its work.

The NHRC strongly condemns the recent statements made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, including accusations of forging or falsification of documents and international reports. The NHRC reserves the right to recourse to legal action to respond to these falsifications, including its right to address the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

The NHRC is not surprised by the accusations made by an official who considers the course of legal action and diplomatic moves as "pathetic logic". However, these movements are the civilized path of countries that adhere to the rules of international legitimacy, human rights system, and human values.

The NHRC confirms that these attempts by the UAE will not deter the committee from continuing its work in accordance with the Paris Principles and international human rights standards to expose UAE violations to citizens and residents of the State of Qatar, and other GCC citizens who were harmed by the unjust blockade. The NHRC also affirms that it will spare no effort to redress and compensate the victims.