On this fifth day of June 2017, at 5:33 am, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt declared an air, land and sea blockade on the State of Qatar under the pretext of fabricated statements attributed to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani which were published after Qatar News Agency (QNA) was hacked by two of the blockading countries on 24 May 2017. The Qatari people were shocked by the statements of the embargo countries followed by outrageous decisions and actions against our dear homeland, accusing the State of Qatar of supporting terrorism and working to destabilize the security and stability of the Gulf States, which are false slurs and fabrications directed against our country without any evidence.
It is no secret that the real motives behind the siege and the severing of diplomatic relations with Qatar were not aimed at fighting terrorism, but rather an attempt to force guardianship unto Qatar, and to interfere in its foreign policy and internal affairs and to undermine its sovereignty.
The blockade imposed on Qatar has led to a humanitarian crisis for thousands of mixed Gulf families. Hundreds of families underwent violence and hatred, dispersed and deprived of their rights to freedom of movement, education, employment, freedom of opinion, residence, ownership of properties and practice of religious rites i.e. Hajj & Umrah. Also, the right of the citizens residing in the blockading countries to the health was violated by depriving them from receiving treatment in their hospitals, in stark violations of the international humanitarian law and human rights. There are so many lamentable realistic stories on these violations.
The blockading countries took these unilateral and arbitrary measures against Qatar without referring to the conflict-solving mechanism agreed upon and signed in Riyadh in 2014 and the basics of the relations between countries, let alone the values of good geographical neighborliness and common historical ties, and the due respect to the sovereignty and dignity of small States.
The composition of the impossible demands of the blockading countries was made under international pressure and with a motive to be rejected by Qatar, although Doha is dealing positively with the mediation led by HH the Emir of Kuwait with the support of the United States and the international community that supports peace, security and stability in the Gulf region.
How did Qatar cope with this crisis?
Once the blockade was imposed on June 5, the Government continued to work day and night to meet the needs of the State resulted by the embargo, and to develop plans for self-sufficiency and economic advancement. Qatar's diplomacy intensified to face the campaigns of lies and fabrications by clarifying the Qatar Government’s view & stand on arbitrary measures taken by the blockading countries among the various parties of the international community. Also, the necessary legal measures were taken against those arbitrary measures with the international organizations concerned, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Trade Organization and the Human Rights Council. These efforts played a pivotal role in breaking the stranglehold of the brutal blockade, which its creators had predicted would affect the independence and sovereignty of our beloved homeland.
The noble character of the State of Qatar in the face of this siege
The State of Qatar demonstrated from the beginning its maturity in handling this unjust blockade and has not drifted away as the blockading countries violated all the international agreements & laws in order to achieve their goals, which gave Qatar more strategic weight as a more stable and balanced country in the region.
In the face of flagrant violations of the embargo, highest morals of Qatar reflected in its leadership, Government and its people. Qatar's axis of ethics was strongly present in the speeches of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar in his message to the blockading countries and the world at large.
On 21 July 2017, the first speech of his Highness after the siege, in which he expressed his pride on the highest moral standard of the people of Qatar in the face of the embargo. As He said:
“Here I would like to recognize, with great pride, the high moral standard exercised by this people despite the campaign of incitement as well as the siege. They combined the solidity of stance and magnanimity of behavior that has always characterized the Qatari people. They have amazed the world by maintaining a high level of tenacity in tackling the situation, despite the unprecedented incitement in tone and language, the honor-related prejudices, and the unparalleled blockade in the relations between our countries.
This was tantamount to a true moral test where our society has achieved great success, as we have proved that there are basic principles and norms that we observe even in times of conflict and dispute, because we respect ourselves first and foremost”.
His Highness also highlighted Qatar's moral victory in return for the immoral crimes of the countries of siege in his speech at the opening of the 46th ordinary session of the Advisory Council held on November 14, 2017. "As you know, Qatar has come under an unjust blockade, during which all established values and norms - not only those prevalent among fraternal and friendly countries, but even among enemies - were breached”.
Today, a year after this unjust siege, the siege has been transformed into a declaration of victory. Qatar has emerged victorious by its ethics and morals and rediscovered its strengths. It has won on various levels and gained respect of the world by its morals. Now Qatar thousand times better off without blockading countries.
The siege has helped to unite all segments of society, both citizens and residents, and create a unified position towards this unjust challenge. Qatari citizens have played a leading role in confronting this unjust siege. Their awareness of the plot and rallying around their wise leadership was considered the initial step forward before the executive organs of the State to break this vicious siege, supported by the efforts of residents on the soil of our dear homeland.
The achievements made by the State of Qatar after a year of unjust blockade
On reviewing the achievements of the State of Qatar internally and externally during the period of the unjust siege, we realize that Qatar is proceeding with determination towards its noble goals and objectives at all levels and sectors internally and externally, in fulfillment of its covenants and principles and values which upheld with loyalty and love to this land and its dear people as well as all residents on its soil. It will continue on this path to remain in support of oppressed peoples opened its doors and heart for everything that is good and useful regionally and internationally.
Over the past year, Qatar has achieved record numbers of achievements in all sectors in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
It is difficult to quantify the comprehensive census of the achievements of the State of Qatar. Excellence prevailed in all spheres in diplomacy, economy, sports and knowledge, and below we mention few of our most important achievements, for example:
Politically
On the front of foreign relations, the Qatari policy has achieved a great success. The foreign tours of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, in Europe, Asia & Africa had an important impact on strengthening Qatar's status internationally and regionally, also contributed to strengthen the friendly bonds with all countries of the world. The supportive stands of these countries were clear supporting Qatar’s stand on the need to resolve these crisis through dialogue and call on the blockading countries to clear the mind, lift the siege on the State of Qatar and sit on the dialogue table.
Qatar's record in the fight against terrorism is well known and documented. It has acceded to international and regional treaties in this regard, foremost of which is the United Nations Convention on Combating Financing of Terrorism of 1999. Also, it has contributed to every international and regional effort in this regard. The Speech of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly last September 2017, summarized Qatar's pivotal and vital role in combating the scourge of terrorism where ever or whenever it is and the restoration of international peace and security.
In his speech, His Highness the Emir suggested an important initiative: the need to impose dialogue and negotiation as a basis for resolving differences through the conclusion of an international charter on the peaceful settlement of disputes between the States.
Also, it is worthy to note that Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States of America on 11 July 2017 on cooperation between the two sides in key areas of counter-terrorism such as security, intelligence and finance.
Economically
The Qatari economy has proven its strength and resilience to the challenges of this unjust blockade and its ability to absorb and overcome all its effects, supported by the systematic economic and commercial policies established by the wise leadership.
It is worth mentioning that the State of Qatar succeeded in overcoming the effects of the "treacherous and arbitrary measures" of the siege countries in full, within 36 hours, a response that was" the first of its kind in the world".
The blockade imposed on Qatar a year ago is a new phase in consolidating the strength of the State of Qatar and enhancing its independence and economic security. Qatar has overcome various challenges of supply to the domestic market and movement of goods at ports and airports by consolidating its existing business lines and developing new and direct lines with a number of strategic business partners around the world, taking advantage of the country's strategic facilities, such as Hamad Sea Port and Hamad International Airport.
The State of Qatar has not stopped at this point, but has sought to strengthen the logistics supply capacity of the State, by re-activating the use of Al Ruwais Port to receive land supply operations through Turkey and Azerbaijan, through Iranian ports.
The State of Qatar has continued to look into the future of its economic diversification policies and to build a pioneering economic model based on openness, diversification and productivity, supported by the combined efforts of the public and private sectors. In addition, the State has directed towards supporting the private sector by providing an administrative and legislative environment encouraging investment and doing business.