Arab Federation for Human Rights requests UN to resolve tragedy

The Arab Federation for Human Rights has asked the United Nations Human Rights Council to enlist the issue of the Qatari 'Al Ghufran' tribe on its agenda and to intervene to stop the "crimes against humanity" against the members of the tribe.

During an event organised today on the sidelines of the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva titled 'International human rights groups and the issue of Al Ghufran Tribe', Dr. Ahmed Al Hamli, Founder and Chairman of the Federation, pledged to not abandon their issue, as they are suffering persecution in Qatar.

Denouncing the Qatari policies towards the people of the tribe, he said, "It is strange that armed terrorist groups are getting the support of the Qatari government, which is destabilising the various countries in the region, instead of supporting the rights of its Qatari people."

"It is unacceptable that Qatar gives nationality to people of other countries but takes it away from its own people, breaking all international laws and conventions," he added.

He stressed that this was a human rights issue and that the Federation had pledged to support the people of the Al Ghufran tribe so that they can make their voices heard at the international human rights events and regain their lawful rights.

During the seminar, two members of the Al Ghufran tribe accused the Qatari authorities of practising a series of crimes towards them, including stripping them of their nationality and evicting them from their homes. They demanded immediate intervention by the United Nations.

Saleh Al Ghufrani and Mohammed Al Ghufrani of the Al Ghufran tribe, which is one of the main branches of the Al Murrah tribe, represents, according to the latest statistics between 50 to 60 percent of the Qatari people, demonstrated to the world and the human rights organisations the experiences of their tribe. They described them as harsh, painful and sorrowful, citing the different forms of injustice and persecution they faced from Qatar.

Saleh Al Ghufrani said that they had come to Geneva to endeavour to end the suffering of their family members and others in Qatar. "We have been patient for 21 years, but we will not be patient anymore. Now, they are resorting to executions because of our demand for restoration of our rights," he added.

Saleh noted that the Qatari media tools were being used to blame Saudi Arabia for the tragedy of the tribe.

Mohammed Al Ghufrani stressed that just when the human rights groups were beginning to raise his tribe’s issue, the Qatari authorities had increased the persecution against the tribes.

He expressed his exasperation with the Qatari authorities for not considering the rights of Qatar’s original people, while it offered financial support to refugees from Syria and other countries. He revealed that the authorities had arrested Qatari poet Barik Hadi Al Murri because he had recited a poetry thanking King Salman of Saudi Arabia for honouring the pilgrims of the Sanctified House of Allah.

Saleh and Mohammed called on the human rights organisations and the United Nations to help them regain their nationality, resolve the problems of the people of the Al Ghufran tribe, reinstate those fired from their jobs and re-unite their families while restoring their rights and privileges retroactively.

They hoped that the Qatari authorities would not be able to influence the conscience of the honourable human rights workers across the world. They emphasised that they were relying on the United Nations to support their tribe, which was ready to offer all evidence to prove its rights in the country.