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Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Amir receives phone call from Swedish PM
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a phone call from Prime Minister of the friendly Kingdom of Sweden HE Ulf Kristersson. During the call, the Prime Minister affirmed his country's solidarity with the State of Qatar and its strong condemnation of the Iranian attack on Al Udeid Air Base, which constitutes a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter. The Swedish Prime Minister also stressed his country's categorical rejection of any aggression that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar and undermines the security and stability of the region. For his part, HH the Amir expressed his thanks to the Swedish Prime Minister for his sincere feelings and appreciated solidarity with the State of Qatar and its people.
Qatar Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Amir receives phone call from Venezuelan president
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a phone call from President of the friendly Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela HE Nicolas Maduro. During the call, the President of Venezuela affirmed his country's solidarity with the State of Qatar and its strong condemnation of the Iranian attack on Al Udeid Air Base, which constituted a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar's sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter. He stressed his country's absolute rejection of any aggression that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar and undermines the security and stability of the region. For his part, HH the Amir expressed his thanks to the president for his sincere feelings and appreciated solidarity with the State of Qatar and its people.
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN CEDAW Committee Breaks New Ground With First Treaty Body Review Of Afghanistan Since Taliban Takeover In 2021
GENEVA (26 June 2025) - At a time when Afghan women warn that their very existence is being erased and their voices rendered invisible on the global stage, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has taken an unprecedented step by reviewing Afghanistan's compliance with its international women's human rights obligations, without engagement from the existing de facto authorities in the country. As the de facto authorities of the Taliban, currently in control of large parts of the country, are not recognized by the United Nations, the Committee reviewed the fourth periodic report of Afghanistan submitted by the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations in Geneva and engaged in a dialogue with a delegation of former Afghan officials and women's rights leaders in exile. The Committee had also invited the de facto authorities to participate informally in the review, but no response was received. While UN treaty bodies have previously conducted country reviews in the absence of a state delegation, CEDAW's decision to hold a public dialogue with a delegation of former State officials, following the precedent of the fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan in April 2024, represents a first-of-its-kind arrangement within the treaty body system. This review is not only a CEDAW obligation, but also 'a fervent hope that [the] exchange will prove constructive, anchored in mutual respect and steadfastly committed to strengthening accountability for the rights of Afghan women and girls,' said Bandana Rana, Committee member who led the country review. 'This Committee bears a solemn obligation, a legal, international and moral imperative to examine these developments with unflinching clarity and uncompromising resolve,' she added. In doing so, the Committee reaffirms that the Convention remains legally binding on Afghanistan regardless of shifts in political leadership or regime. 'Our concern transcends politics. It is rooted in principle. It stands upon the bedrock of universal and immutable values: human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, autonomy and justice for all, most urgently for the women and girls of Afghanistan,' said Rana, adding that, 'We harbour the profound hope that today's dialogue will serve not merely to deepen the accountability of all stakeholders but to galvanize a renewed and unified commitment, including of the international community to restore the inalienable human rights of Afghan women and girls, first and foremost their right to education.' Committee Chair Nahla Haidar emphasized that 'this review has set an important precedent for how treaty bodies can establish responsibility when those exercising effective control in a country fail to uphold that country's human rights obligations and their responsibility to protect their population. It was an unprecedented opportunity to recall the principle of accountability and solidarity enshrined in the United Nations Charter.' CEDAW remains committed to its mandate and stands with the women and girls of Afghanistan by calling on all stakeholders, including the international community, to uphold their obligations under international law. The Committee will publish its findings, formally known as Concluding Observations, on 7 July.
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Experts Condemn United States Attack On Iran And Demand Permanent End To Hostilities
GENEVA (26 June 2025) – UN experts* today unequivocally condemned the recent United States military attack against three nuclear facilities in Iran. 'These attacks violate the most fundamental rules of world order since 1945 – the prohibition on the aggressive use of military force and the duties to respect sovereignty and not to coercively intervene in another country,' the experts said. 'The responsible U.S. political and military leaders may also be liable for the international crime of aggression.' 'The attacks also seriously threatened human rights, including the rights to life, security of the person, health, a clean environment and self-determination of the people of Iran,' they said. The U.S. launched 75 munitions by air and sea against the facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan, causing extensive damage. Iran retaliated against a U.S. base in Qatar, causing no injuries or damage. A fragile ceasefire now appears to be in place. Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the threat or use of force against any state, except in self-defence or if the Security Council approves. Self-defence is only available in response to an actual or imminent armed attack by another country. 'Iran has not attacked the U.S. or Israel with a nuclear weapon. There is no evidence whatsoever that Iran intends to imminently attack the U.S. or Israel with a nuclear weapon.' 'Preventive' or 'anticipatory' self-defence against speculative future threats, such as nuclear proliferation or terrorism, has not been permitted by international law since the United Nations Charter was adopted 80 years ago. 'Accepting preventive self-defence would unleash a catastrophic era of 'might is right', where powerful countries could bomb others to advance their security or foreign policy interests. This would fuel corrosive suspicion, 'arms races' and destabilising 'balance of power' alliances – precisely what the post-1945 order, out of the ashes of a world war, aimed to avoid,' they said. 'It would further destabilise the Middle East region and increase the risk to human rights everywhere.' The experts affirmed the view of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that nuclear facilities must never be attacked as doing so could cause the release of radioactive material with devastating impacts on the environment and human rights, including the rights to life, personal security, health, protection against arbitrary displacement and the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. International humanitarian law generally prohibits attacks on nuclear facilities. 'We urge all parties to refrain from further uses of force and to commit to the peaceful settlement of international disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, including through the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA and with respect for the human rights of all people,' they said. 'The timing of the strikes undermined peaceful diplomatic efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as well as peace and security in the region and beyond,' the experts noted. 'In a world experiencing deep economic crisis, and as members of an international community that is committed to peace, we believe that financial resources mobilised for military aggression should be utilised to foster peace-making and development,' they said. 'These attacks by the U.S., a permanent member of the Security Council responsible for maintaining international peace and security, normalises violent aggression and 'gunboat diplomacy' as a tool of statecraft and severely undermines the international rule of law,' the experts warned. 'At a time of crisis for multilateralism, all countries should oppose such lawlessness and pressure the U.S. and Israel to respect the universal rules of humanity.' *The experts: Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Mai Sato, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic republic of Iran; Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in person, especially women and children; Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; George Katrougalos, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Marcos A. Orellana, Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes; Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967; Gabriella Citroni, (Chair-Rapporteur), Grażyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez, Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan; Bina D'Costa (Chair), Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent; Ashwini, K.P., Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Elizabeth Salmón, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights; Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Cecilia M. Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Surya Deva, ; Heba Hagrass, .
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
BRICS countries express "grave concern" over military strikes against Iran
Brasilia [Brazil], June 25 (ANI): The BRICS countries have expressed 'grave concern' over military strikes against Iran in 'violation of international law and the United Nations Charter,' and called for an urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. In a joint statement on Wednesday, the influential bloc comprising India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, and six other countries, including Iran, called for immediate de-escalation of the situation and urged all parties to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to resolve their differences peacefully. 'We express grave concern over the military strikes against Iran since 13 June 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East,' the statement read. The Iran-Israel conflict escalated on Sunday morning following the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites. Later, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. 'In the face of rising tensions with unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy, we underscore the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. We call on all parties to engage through existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means,' it added. The statement also highlights the importance of upholding nuclear safeguards, safety, and security, particularly in armed conflicts. 'Nuclear safeguards, safety, and security must always be upheld, including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm. In this context, we reiterate our support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges,' the BRICS countries affirm. Further, BRICS countries express 'serious concern' over any attack against 'peaceful nuclear installations that are carried out in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency.' The BRICS emphasised the need to protect civilian lives. 'Civilian lives must be protected, and civilian infrastructure must be safeguarded, in full compliance with international humanitarian law,' they stress. 'We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and express our solidarity with civilians affected,' it added. The joint statement reiterates the BRICS countries' commitment to promote international peace and security through diplomacy and peaceful dialogue. 'Guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, BRICS remains committed to promoting international peace and security and to fostering diplomacy and peaceful dialogue as the only sustainable path toward long-term stability in the region.' The BRICS countries have also called for the 'establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in line with relevant international resolutions.' 'We call upon the international community to support and facilitate dialogue processes, uphold international law, and contribute constructively to peaceful settlements of disputes for the benefit of all humanity. BRICS countries will remain seized of the matter,' it added. (ANI)
