The UAE confirms the legality of its measures to protect its national security

Oral hearings began today in the International Court of Justice regarding the preliminary objections submitted by the UAE against Qatar in the case of implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The sessions began via video communication technology with the court in The Hague due to restrictions related to "Covid-19" and lasted for a week. The matter is limited to addressing the technical question about whether the International Court of Justice has jurisdiction to settle the dispute between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar regarding the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination. Racist.

The country's ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dr. Hessa Abdullah Al-Otaiba, said: “The measures taken by the UAE when cutting ties with Qatar do not fall within the scope of the application of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,” stressing that with regard to the case of the UAE, the allegations against it do not Can fit the definition of what constitutes racial discrimination under the convention. "

And the issue of severing relations with Qatar stems from its continued support for terrorism and extremism ... as the UAE amended in 2017 some privileges for those who hold Qatari nationality, specifically the possibility of Qatari citizens traveling without restrictions and without a visa to the UAE.

She added, "These privileges were provided in the past as an extension of relations between the two countries, and their withdrawal has nothing to do with racial discrimination - as Qatar complains - noting that imposing visa applications on Qatari citizens is a result of the disagreement and the severing of relations."

She stressed that the United Arab Emirates has continuously sought to reduce any negative impact of the conflict with the government of Qatar on Qatari citizens and will continue to do so, noting that the UAE is committed to being an open and hospitable society and that Qatari citizens are allowed to visit the UAE, whether on travel or residence.

For his part, Director of the International Law Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdullah Al-Naqbi, said: "The United Arab Emirates welcomes the participation in the conciliation procedures available between the parties under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination."

He added, "The UAE is committed to strengthening friendly relations between the countries of the region in the interest of a Middle East that enjoys peace and prosperity, and is open to bridging the rift."

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