Doha
11 June 2017

National Human Rights Committee of State of Qatar (NHRC) has said today that the directives issued by Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain to take into consideration the humanitarian situation of mixed families (Saudi-Qatari, Emirati-Qatari and Bahraini-Qatari families) are vague, lacking a practical mechanism for implementation on the ground.

The NHRC said the directives also address the consideration of the humanitarian situation without any reference
to solutions of the legal and human rights issues. These recent directives are considered as an attempt to improve the image of the arbitrary measures imposed by these countries on Qatar in violation of all humanitarian norms, charters and principles that constitute international human rights crimes.

NHRC believes that the gross violations resulting from the siege affect the rights of Gulf citizens both Qataris and non-Qataris as well as the rights of residents in Qatar.

The arbitrary measures taken by these three countries have resulted in serious violations of a wide range
of civil, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to movement and residence, the right to
private property, right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to religious freedom, the right to work, the right to education and the right to health.

In addition it is also a serious violation and suppression of the freedom of the press and freedom of opinion and expression, through criminalising sympathy towards Qatar or presenting any objection in any way to the arbitrary measures taken by those States.

The NHRC has reported and documented tragic humanitarian cases resulting from violations of the rights and freedoms referred to, and those affecting the psychological situation of citizens and residents in the entire
Gulf society.

The NHRC emphasises that it will continue to perform its mandate in protecting, promoting and consolidating
the rights and freedoms of those who are affected in the GCC, report and document all the related violations,
and raise the complaints to all international human rights bodies and organisations.

The three states should shoulder the full responsibly, in accordance with the international norms and principles
and its obligations under international human rights treaties, and take the necessary measures to stop all violations, lift the siege imposed on Qatar and alleviate the suffering of the people.