Qatar Expresses Concern About Human Rights Violations in Syria

Geneva, June 18 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating human rights conditions in Syria and the crimes against humanity led by the Syrian regime, calling for ensuring accountability and bringing perpetrators to justice. The State of Qatar urged the international community to put pressure on the Syrian regime to end violence, resolve the crisis and preserve the country's unity. This came in a speech delivered by First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva, Khalid Fahad Al-Hajri before the 20th regular session of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. The State of Qatar expressed deep concern over the UN High Commissioner for Human Right's statement for not condemning the continuous Israeli violations of human rights in the occupied territories, calling upon the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibility in this regard. Al-Hajiri reaffirmed the State of Qatar's keenness to keep closer ties of cooperation and partnership with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and continue to provide the appropriate support for the activities and programs of UNHCR and the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha. Qatar organizes an event on the sidelines of this regular session on June, 25 aimed at informing the participants about the achievements being so far accomplished by the center and discussing the variety of different measures to achieve its objectives and surpass challenges, he explained. Al-Hajiri underlined as well the particular importance of the upcoming Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), noting Qatar's progress under the wise guidance of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani towards realizing its National Vision 2030, which has sustainable development as one of its four pillars. He also stressed Qatar's commitment to the success of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 18th Conference of the Parties (COP 18) taking place in Qatar from 26 November to 7 December 2012. With regard to the High Commissioner's visit to Tunisia, the State of Qatar welcomed the readiness of the Tunisian government to implement reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law. (END)