Rights groups across the world and especially in Western-Europe expressed complete disapproval of the call of three Gulf Countries to shut the Al Jazeera Network.
The thirteen demands of Saudi Arabia
Advocates of all sorts, mainly those opting for the freedom of press and human rights have condemned the third of the thirteen demands by Saudi-Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. All the demands in full are:
- Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran. Only trade and commerce with Iran that complies with US and international sanctions will be permitted.
- Sever all ties to “terrorist organisations”, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al-Qaida and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.
- Shut down al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
- Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye.
- Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside Qatar.
- Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the US and other countries.
- Hand over “terrorist figures” and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.
- End interference in sovereign countries’ internal affairs. Stop granting citizenship to wanted nationals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Revoke Qatari citizenship for existing nationals where such citizenship violates those countries’ laws.
- Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over all files detailing Qatar’s prior contacts with and support for those opposition groups.
- Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar’s policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.
- Consent to monthly audits for the first year after agreeing to the demands, then once per quarter during the second year. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.
- Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically, as well as on economic matters, in line with an agreement reached with Saudi Arabia in 2014.
- Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid.
.@HRW on absurd demand to close @AJArabic pic.twitter.com/0TAgc4FCXF
— Sarah Leah Whitson (@sarahleah1) June 23, 2017
Qatar anticipated on the blockade, resisting total compliance
Our EICRI department in the Gulf is not expecting Qatar to comply with all the demands.
“Even before the Qatari crisis unfolded, Qatar has taken steps to safeguard it’s logistic dependancy in case of a complete blockade.” EICRI department, Sharjah – UAE
If Qatar agrees to comply, the list asserts that it will be audited once a month for the first year, and then once per quarter in the second year after it takes effect. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.
Kuwait expected to de-escalate the situation
From this point forward, the role of Kuwait is crucial in resolving the issue. Kuwait, just like Qatar, is one of the mail peace-brokers in the Gulf region. Kuwait is know for its rather neutral diplomatic role in the Middle-East. In the past, Kuwait was able to resolve different (diplomatic) disputes with other nations in the region.
