Qatar Keen on Finding Peaceful Solution to Syrian Crisis - Minister

Geneva, February 27 (QNA) - Qatar has reiterated its keenness to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria, and to ensure the protection of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, stressing at the same time the need for cohesion of the Syrian people, unity and harmony of all spectrum and protection of all ethnic , religious and social groups. Qatar said it has been following with deep sorrow and anger escalation of military operations in Syria, shedding of civilian blood, and the increasing violence, which affects even children, women and the elderly, in a way that contravenes international law of human rights and international norms , and obligations set forth in the resolutions of the Arab League Council . This came in a speech delivered by HE Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah here on Monday at 19th high-level session of the Human Rights Council. In this regard, HE the Minister said that Qatar since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria, and as required by the duty of solidarity with the Syrian people has been calling for stopping all acts of violence and killing, and calling for respect for human rights to ensure a decent life for citizens of Syria. HE Dr. Al-Attiyah underlined that to the protection and promotion of human rights constitutes one of the key pillars of the State of Qatar, reflected in the Constitution and the laws in force in the state, as well as accession to several international conventions and cooperation with all international human rights mechanisms. He added in this regard that Qatar is committed to submitting periodic reports to the various mechanisms and the implementation of related recommendations. HE the Minister Dr. Al Attiyah said that Qatar has set up a number of public and private institutions, government bodies and national committees for the protection and promotion of human rights in the State. Qatar has hosted numerous human rights conferences and related meetings, including the Doha Conference of Interfaith Dialogue and the Doha Forum for the Alliance of Civilizations.", HE the Minister noted. HE the Minister Dr. Al-Attiyah referred to the close link between the development of communities and respect for human rights and the close relationship between human rights abuses in any society and the manifestations of ignorance, poverty and disease that lead to failure and degradation of State institutions. In this regard, HE the Minister highlighted Qatar National Vision 2030 as including the overall vision for development stressing the importance of the promotion and protection of human rights and, to this vision, Qatar has launched the National Development Strategy (2011/2016), which included several national programs to protect all human rights, including the empowerment of women in all areas, especially in decision-making in the country through capacity building and removal of various restrictions, HE the Minister Dr. Al Attiyah added HE the Minister reviewed the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories highlighting the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank including the killing, destruction, confiscation of land, and the serious threats posed to the Al Aqsa Mosque by the authorities of the occupation and Israeli extremists. HE the Minister said the settlement policy reveals the gravity of human rights violations against the Palestinian citizens, which is a flagrant violation of the laws and charters, conventions and norms. He reiterated Qatar's condemnation of the Israeli unfair practices and denunciation of the international community failure to press for removing these violations. With regard to the circumstances in the Arab region and the need for more freedom, dignity and fundamental human rights, HE Dr. Al-Attiyah said: "The State of Qatar was the first country that called on the international community to support these peoples in order to achieve their legitimate demands, noting that HH the Emir of Qatar has stressed more than once, that Qatar has been and will remain backing with the brotherly Arab peoples for their just demands and stands by them for development and construction process. Concluding, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar's cooperation with the Human Rights Council in support of ensuring the human rights all over the world and stressed Qatar's continued efforts to enhance human rights and strengthen cooperation with various international mechanisms for human rights.(QNA)