International Justice requires ICAO's jurisdiction in Qatar's complaint against the blockading states

The International Court of Justice issued a decision ordering the jurisdiction of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to consider the case brought by Qatar against the blockading states.

The court judges also unanimously rejected the submissions made by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain in the absence of ICAO's jurisdiction to hear the case.

The court confirmed in the session held in The Hague that the ICAO Council did not make mistakes when it rejected the appeals of the four countries by not having jurisdiction to consider Qatar’s complaint about the negative effects caused by the blockade countries on aviation, security and air safety when it banned all Qatari aircraft from flying over their lands or landing in Its airports.

The four blockading countries, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt, have filed a case regarding defining the jurisdiction of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), asking the Court of Justice to annul a decision taken by ICAO in the interest of Doha.

The organization decided in 2018 that it has the legal authority to decide a dispute related to Qatar's request, which accuses neighboring countries of violating an agreement regulating the freedom of civilian aircraft to cross in foreign airspace.

These countries imposed a large-scale air embargo on June 5, 2017 without warning, and included all aircraft registered in the State of Qatar, preventing them from flying to and from the airports of these countries, and preventing them from passing through their airspace.

The International Court of Justice considers disputes between countries, but its decisions are not mandatory to implement them.

The court had called on the UAE to protect the rights of Qatari citizens, especially reuniting families whose family members have been separated, and allowing students to continue their studies.

The siege of Qatar began in June 2017 after the Qatar News Agency penetrated and fabricated statements by the Emir of the country, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and then Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Cairo severed all ties with Doha with allegations related to the relationship with Iran and support for terrorism, and imposed economic measures between them Close land borders and sea routes, prevent the use of airspace and impose restrictions on the movement of Qataris.