Doha: The State of Qatar participated Tuesday in an emergency session within the 60th United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC60), regarding the treacherous Israeli assault that targeted Doha.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari delegation to the session was headed by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. In Qatar’s statement during the session, joined by over 75 countries, Her Excellency extended genuine thanks to the Human Rights Council for its swift response in convening this emergency session. She noted that such a response reflects the Council’s pivotal role in safeguarding human rights and promoting international peace and security.
Her Excellency stated that the September 9 attack targeted a densely populated civilian area in the heart of the capital, Doha, near diplomatic missions, schools, kindergartens, and mosques. This area is home to about five thousand people, including Qatari families, as well as families of residents, children, and women. She explained that this attack resulted in martyrs and injuries, including the martyr Corporal Badr Saad Al-Dosari, 22, and 18 wounded.
HE the Minister emphasized that this attack is a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar and a grave breach of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, security, and the protection of children and education, as enshrined in international covenants such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
She further stressed that this attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law by targeting a purely civilian area, and represents an assault on a member state of the United Nations. This amounts to state terrorism and poses a direct threat to regional and international peace and security.
Her Excellency added that the attack endangered a state engaged in mediation efforts in coordination with the United States and Egypt to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Targeting a mediating state is seen as an attack on the principle of negotiation and a sabotage of peace efforts.
Qatari mediation had previously led to tangible results, including the safe release of 135 hostages, which offered reassurance to hundreds of Israeli families. Qatar played a role in achieving a truce agreement that allowed civilians in Gaza to access food aid, demonstrating that Qatari mediation has saved lives and restored rights.
HE the Minister stated that this attack was part of a broader campaign aimed at distorting Qatar’s role and obstructing its diplomatic efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements confirmed continued threats to other countries, signaling a dangerous escalation that could lead to systematic violations of international law.
Her Excellency referred to the Emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha, which unanimously condemned the aggression and reaffirmed the concept of collective security and shared destiny. The summit emphasized that international legitimacy and UN resolutions are fundamental to achieving security and peace.
She underscored that if the rule of law is absent, the logic of force prevails, eroding trust in laws and mechanisms. Therefore, the world relies on the Human Rights Council to ensure that aggressors do not escape punishment, preserving the dignity of the law and humanity.
HE the Minister concluded by reaffirming Qatar’s condemnation of the Israeli aggression and calling on the Human Rights Council and the international community to hold aggressors accountable. She warned against the danger of targeting mediating states and stressed the need to protect the role of mediation.