Human Rights - The Gulf Version

Two out of three banned in most Gulf states

Bridging The Gulf, a European Commission- and Dutch Foreign Ministry-funded body that aims to promote “understanding about the Gulf region in Europe”, has analysed the Arab Charter on Human Rights that was adopted in 2008 by ten Arab states, including 2022 World Cup host Qatar.

“The Charter’s significance lies in the fact that it is an instrument from the region, negotiated by states of the region,” notes the article. Meaning, no interfering international organisations imposed their deviant concept of human rights on the charter. Still, the document is reportedly a huge improvement on the 1994 version, which “fell far short of international human rights law”, but now “does recognize many important rights that are consistent with international human rights law as reflected in treaties, jurisprudence, and opinions of UN expert bodies. It recognizes the right to health, education, fair trial, and freedom from torture and ill-treatment, the independence of the judiciary, the right to liberty and security of person, and many other rights.”

Very nice. Any drawbacks? Well, Bridging the Gulf continues, “the Charter does not prohibit cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments, nor does it extend rights to non-citizens in many areas. It also allows for the imposition of restrictions on the exercise of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion far beyond international human rights law… Moreover, the Charter leaves many important rights to national legislation. For example, it allows for the imposition of the death penalty against juvenile offenders if national law allows it. It also leaves matrimonial issues as well as the regulation of rights and responsibilities of men and women in marriage and divorce to national law.”

So, the Charter prohibits torture, but beheading and the lash are still in. And foreigners, who make up the majority of the population in many Gulf states, are not really protected. Well, they should just shut up and be happy they have the chance to earn some money, shouldn’t they? Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are just so blah blah blah, while executing juvenile criminals ensures that re-offending is not a problem. 

Oh, and will the ten Gulf states actually take any notice of the Charter, or did they just sign up as a public relations stunt? The article, rather in the tone of Neville Chamberlain seeking assurance from that Adolf Hitler chap that he had absolutely no plans to send some of his soldiers on exploratory missions to Germany’s neighbouring countries, tentatively points out that the signatory countries are ignoring the Charter.

“Although the Charter reflects to a large degree the areas of acceptance and reservations regarding international human rights treaties by member states of the Arab League,” it says carefully, “Arab States that ratify the Charter do need to be encouraged and stimulated to undertake to change their laws and policies in accordance with its provisions. Unfortunately none has actually done so thus far.”

No doubt, though, it’s a top priority. At least it will be once the nice fellows at Bridging the Gulf send them a gentle reminder memo asking if they could remember to think a little bit about taking some action on that Human Rights Charter thingie, please. Oh, except that paragraph stating the rejection of “all forms of racism and Zionism, which constitute a violation of human rights and a threat to international peace and security”. Probably best not to mention the tricky Z Word.