CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DR. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar

Qatar believes in multilateral action, need international system to represent values of humanity: Assistant Foreign Minister

Published: 07 Feb 2021 - 06:54 pm | Last Updated: 02 Nov 2021 - 12:56 am
Peninsula

QNA

Doha: The State of Qatar believes in multilateral action and the need for the international system to represent the values of humanity, justice and equality, said Assistant Foreign Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, adding that this "cannot be achieved without having a fair international law that respects the right to humanity and a decent life for all peoples, and that if the international law fails to do so, then unfortunately there will be an incomplete law and justice, like the oppression, violence and deprivation that the Palestinian brothers have been living in under the occupation for decades, in full view of the international community."

In her speech to the annual international conference entitled "Law in the Face of Global Crises: Means and Challenges", which is being organized by Qatar University's College of Law, HE Al Khater renewed the State of Qatar's call for reforming the Security Council in a way that effectively guarantees the supremacy of international law, adding that "the multipolar international system in which we live today is no longer similar to the post-World War II prevailing system, as changes in the world require change and reform for the Security Council and for multilateral organizations; one cannot talk about facing crises with the law if the law itself suffers from a crisis that deserves a solution."

HE also noted that despite the urgent need to reform international law and the relevant organizations, the existence of these institutions, despite their deficiencies, is a must.

She added that "out of the belief in the United Nations institutions and the respect for international law, the State of Qatar has resorted to all available legal channels to consider areas of disagreement, whether during the Gulf crisis, or in other previous cases, as it welcomed the decisions issued by these institutions."

On the subject of the use of law as a tool in confronting crisis, HE Lolwah Al Khater commended the experience of the State of Kuwait in the Security Council, mentioning that "Kuwait used its membership to serve its brothers, support Arab and Islamic causes, and alleviate the suffering of peoples in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Yemen and Myanmar."

The Assistant Foreign Minister indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic brought out the best and the worst at the individual and collective levels, so there were some countries which have retreated into themselves, and some have not been prevented by the crisis from extending a helping hand to others.

Her Excellency noted that the State of Qatar was among those States that set an example of what even geographically small countries can play at the international level, as it sent shipments of medical and humanitarian assistance to more than 70 countries and humanitarian organizations.

She also pointed that Qatar Airways has taken home nearly 3 million passengers, at a time when most of the world's airports were closed and most airlines stopped operating.

On the matter of vaccine distribution, HE stressed the need for fair laws, reminding the international community "not to politicize the law regarding aid and vaccination, as there are some parties who seek to enact laws to monopolize the vaccine, which is unacceptable and must be fully rejected by the international community."

Her Excellency underlined that there are many challenges facing the international community, noting that there are two areas that require complete concentration and quick action, with the first being cybersecurity. Especially taking into account that many countries have fallen prey to cyber-attacks and hacking, a matter that requires the need to accelerate the enactment of international laws that govern the cyberspace, and regulate international relations in it.

The second area HE listed is the threat of climate change, noting that for some, the climate phenomenon is an imminent danger that will inevitably come if not confronted quickly. Yet, for small countries and islands such as the Caribbean, the devastating impact of the crisis on their people, environment and economy are a painful reality that they live daily.

HE noted that in this context, "HH the Amir announced in 2019 the State of Qatar's contribution of $ 100 million to deal with the climate change, and that the State of Qatar is proud of its membership in the Paris Climate Agreement, and hopes that US return to the Agreement, as one of key players in the field of industry, will represent a glimmer of hope to return to the right path and activate the terms of this agreement, to ensure the reduction of carbon emissions and pollution, and the protection of our planet and future generations from the threat of climate change."