On May 24, 2017, the Qatar News Agency was hacked and a fake statement purported to belong to his Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al-Thani was broadcasted. This, as would be proved later, was the start of a well-planned but a failed strategy to block and exclude Qatar from the rest of the world.
On June 5, 2017, three countries in the Gulf region (namely Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain), together with Egypt, declared a sea, land and air blockade on Qatar, accusing it of supporting and financing terrorism-related activities. They put forth 13 demands as prerequisite to lift the blockade. The key demand was to shut down the international news channel, Al Jazeera.
The announcement of the blockade was preceded by well-oiled malicious campaigns through international media and PR firms. The campaigns, which were geared towards smearing Qatar's image, flopped. While proponents of the blockade did not attain their objective of paralysing Qatar economically, it had effects socially. The normal lives of thousands of citizens and families in the four Gulf countries were significantly disrupted.
The blockade was not only on the diplomatic front but was also sadly, designed to be as inhuman as possible. Any form of human contact between the citizens of KSA, UAE & Bahrain on one side and Qatar on the other was not only illegalised but also severely dealt with. The decision violated the rights of movements, education, and residence as well as denying Qataris the right to perform Umrah and Hajj at the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina.
According to the National Human Rights Commission in Qatar, more than 13,000 people were affected directly by the blockade and the rights of more than 2,000 citizens violated. Human Rights Watch says parents were forcibly separated from their children, husbands from their wives and families prevented from visiting each other. The sick, the elderly and the young were not spared either. Amnesty International documented the same.
The irrational and irresponsible blockade also grievously infringed on animal rights. Saudi authorities deported about 12,000 Qatari-owned camels and sheep; hundreds of these poor animals died cruelly after being subjected to harsh conditions.
Despite the blockade lasting a year now, Qatar has become stronger and made great strides economically. All the mega projects in Qatar were not affected in any way, including preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. The Qatari economy proved to be extraordinarily resilient and remains one of the strongest in the world. Oil and gas exports have continued uninterrupted and new trade routes have been established and the authorities are keen to achieve a high level of economic independence. The government plans to increase LNG production and aggressive marketing strategies were put in place to make Qatar a highly competitive tourists destination.
As a firm believer in upholding international obligations and guided by respect for human rights, Qatar gave the citizens of the blockade countries the option to stay and continue with their normal lives. A report released by Qatar National TV shows that quarter of a million citizens of the four countries lived in Qatar before the blockade. A few of these citizens heeded the call from their countries to leave Qatar.
Qatar, despite sustained provocations, did not take any action against the citizens of those countries. There are more than 200,000 Egyptians working in the private and public sector. Considering Qatar can easily procure more skilled and affordable manpower from other countries, this is undoubtedly a kind and honourable gesture. That Qatar still supplies the LNG that supports the UAE power energy speaks volumes of the virtues the state stands for.
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Tag: Qatar News