The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) of the State of Qatar welcomed Al-Ula Declaration announced at the Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - ‘Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit’ - held on Tuesday on strengthening the unity of ranks and cohesion among the GCC countries and the return of joint Gulf action to its normal course.

The Committee hailed the positive atmosphere and official statements in the press conference at the conclusion of the summit on the Gulf reconciliation and the end of the crisis. It also welcomed the reopening of the airspace and the land and sea borders by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The NHRC considers this declaration an essential step in the right direction towards solving the Gulf crisis and the complete lifting of the measures resulting from it.

The Committee also reminds all parties of their responsibilities towards addressing the implications of the restrictions imposed by the crisis, especially in the field of individual and group rights, which contribute to supporting the aspirations of the Gulf peoples towards stability, peace and respect for human rights.

The National Human Rights Committee urges the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to intensify efforts to establish effective mechanisms for mediation and resolution of disputes between its members in order to protect the rights of the Gulf peoples and ensure that what happened will not be repeated.

The committee affirmed that the bitter experience that the Gulf region has suffered necessitates serious consideration of concerted efforts of governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations to face the challenges surrounding the region and spare people the scourge of political crises by establishing a comprehensive dialogue to present proposals and initiatives that support the Gulf cohesion and civil peace and harmony. (QNA)