FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called on the global football community and governments worldwide to offer support in face of the escalating refugee and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. President Infantino was speaking during a visit to the compound in Doha at which the State of Qatar, in collaboration with FIFA and the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), has housed over 150 Afghan refugees who were in critical danger due to their links to women’s sport. Qatar has evacuated over 70,000 people from Afghanistan since August, and the FIFA President was keen to express his appreciation for the Gulf state for those efforts. In addition, he thanked the Albanian government led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, which has agreed to take in and house the first group of evacuees, to provide football players and their families with temporary settlement and to help FIFA to evacuate many more. “Qatar in particular and His Highness the Amir, they have to be thanked,” President Infantino said. “These girls and their families are here in a safe environment, at a compound built for the FIFA World Cup next year.” “The first one who jumped in was Prime Minister Edi Rama from Albania; I want to thank him as well. But we need more countries, we need more governments, we need more football family members to help – not just to talk about solidarity or to talk about helping but to do it with real action,” he continued. “We will continue to knock on all the doors around the world, and we hope that some will listen and hear this plea.” Among the evacuees staying at the compound are players from the senior, U-23, U-17 and U-15 Afghan women’s teams, together with their family members. There are also female match officials, administrators and women’s football coaches within the group. AFF General Secretary Fazil Mohamed Shahab – who was heavily involved in promoting and developing women’s football across the country – is also among the evacuees at the camp. Joyce Cook, the FIFA Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer, has led the operation for the past two months. Speaking from Doha, she added her own words of admiration for all those involved and praised the strength of character shown by the brave young women and girls. She said: “I was asked to lead our efforts by our President and our Secretary General. It has been an incredible team effort and we could not have done it without our friends and colleagues in Qatar. We have achieved a lot, but we have so much more still to do and so many more to bring.”

The State of Qatar reiterated that the principle of jurisdiction constitutes one of the basic tools to ensure the prevention and suppression of serious violations of international humanitarian law and the criminalization of perpetrators, expressing its interest in the issue of universal jurisdiction and its applications, based on its conviction that impunity is the main factor in the increasing incidence of mass atrocities in the world, which is rejected by the human conscience because it violates legal instruments and human values. This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by, Second Secretary at Qatar's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Ali bin Ahmed Al Mansouri, during the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly debate on the scope and application of universal jurisdiction. In its statement, the State of Qatar called for filling legal loopholes in order to end impunity and protect the rights of victims, noting that this can only be achieved through concerted international efforts to prevent impunity, strengthen the rule of law at the national and international levels, and deter any person or party contemplating committing such serious crimes. The State of Qatar reiterated the importance of realizing a proper balance between the need to end impunity and the need for the principle of universal jurisdiction to be exercised in good faith, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other applicable rules of international law. The statement added that the State of Qatar reaffirms that the principle of jurisdiction is one of the basic tools to ensure the prevention and suppression of serious violations of international humanitarian law and the criminalization of perpetrators, referring in this context to the four Geneva Conventions which stipulate that states parties are obligated to search for persons accused of committing or ordering violations of the four Geneva Conventions. The statement of the State of Qatar warned of the growing threat of terrorism in the world in a way that endangers the lives and properties of civilians, and said that this pushes the international community towards establishing the principle of universal jurisdiction to confront that danger. The statement pointed to the legislative tools in force in the State of Qatar in accordance with effective legislative controls. ​

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Wednesday morning at the Amiri Diwan office HE Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Marzouq bin Ali Al Ghanim and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. At the outset of the meeting, HE Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir of the sisterly State of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah to HH The Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness, and the Qatari people further progress and prosperity. For his part, HH The Amir entrusted HE the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly to convey his greetings to HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait, wishing him good health and wellness and the brotherly Kuwaiti people further progress and prosperity. HE Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker expressed his congratulations to HH The Amir and the government and people of the State of Qatar on the success of the first legislative elections of the Shura Council and the opening of the first ordinary session of the first legislative term corresponding to the Shura Council's 50th annual session, wishing the members of the Council success. During the meeting, the strong brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and enhance them were reviewed. The meeting was attended by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

The 17th session of the Arab Human Rights Committee began today at the headquarters of the Arab League's General Secretariat. In his speech at the opening session, HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, who headed the delegation of the State of Qatar in the session said that the State of Qatar appreciates the role the committee plays in implementing the articles of the Arab Charter on Human Rights. He stressed that the State of Qatar fully cooperates with the committee to help it carry out its role in improving the standard of human rights in the region. His Excellency added that the State of Qatar continues to focus on the provisions of the Arab Charter and has taken legislative, legal, administrative and other appropriate measures to enhance the rights guaranteed by the Charter and provide the means to ensure their promotion, development and modernization within the framework of integrated social development.He stressed that the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, celebrated the Arab Human Rights Day, which falls on Mar. 16, and was approved by the Arab League. The celebration aimed to raise awareness at the local and national levels of human rights, the Arab Charter on Human Rights, and the principles enshrined in the Arab Charter on Human Rights. The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that this commitment was based on national references, foremost of which the constitution of the State of Qatar, which affirmed and consolidated human rights and included them in 24 articles under its third chapter on public rights and duties. His Excellency added that Qatar National Vision 2030, through its two national development strategies, works on creating an environment that supports human rights in line with regional and international accords on the subjects. He highlighted the affirmation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in his speech before the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly last September, that human development and protecting human rights are lead the State of Qatar's priority. For his part, HE Chairman of the Arab Human Rights Committee Jaber Saleh Al Marri, said that the Arab human rights system, of which the committee represents one of its tools, confirmed that the Arab culture is not an obstacle to human rights, but rather a guarantee for its protection. He highlighted the importance of encouraging other Arab countries who are yet to join the charter to do so. In his speech, Al Marri thanked, on behalf of the Committee, the State of Qatar for its commitment to submit its second periodic report in preparation for its discussion and review of the human rights situation in the country in the context of this session. It is the first session held by the committee after the election of its new members. It is also the first session to be held since the pandemic. ​

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held a telephone conversation with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Marise Payne. During the phone call HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs received, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations of cooperation between the two countries and discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, in both its security and political aspects.

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with HH the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, on the sidelines of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. At the outset of the meeting HH the Crown Prince of Kuwait conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and his wishes of good health and happiness to HH The Amir and for the Qatari people further progress and prosperity. For his part, HH The Amir entrusted HH Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah with his greetings and wishes of good health to HH the Amir of Kuwait, and of continued development and growth for the Kuwaiti people. The meeting dealt with reviewing strong brotherly relations between the two countries and the means to enhance them to the benefit of the two peoples, in addition to discussing the most prominent regional and international developments as well as the topics on the summit's agenda. The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH The Amir. On the Kuwaiti side it was attended by a number of Their Excellencies ministers and senior officials. ​

His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the sidelines of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. At the outset of the meeting, HH the Saudi Crown Prince conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and his wishes of good health and happiness to HH The Amir and for more progress and growth for the Qatari people. For his part, HH the Amir entrusted HH the Saudi Crown Prince with his greetings and wishes of good health to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and of further progress and prosperity to the Saudi people. The meeting dealt with reviewing the strong brotherly relations between the two countries and the means to enhance them to the benefit of the two peoples, in addition to discussing the most prominent regional and international developments, as well as the topics on the summit's agenda. The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH The Amir. On the Saudi side it was attended by a number of Their Royal Highnesses ministers and senior officials.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met on Monday with HH Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State of Qatar Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Abdullah Al Farhan Al Saud. During the meeting, bilateral cooperation relations between the two brotherly countries were reviewed.

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is participating in the Summit of the Green Middle East Initiative, at the invitation of his brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The summit will be held later today in Riyadh, with the participation of a number of Their Excellencies, Highnesses, and Heads of State and Government. His Highness the Emir is accompanied by an official delegation.

The State of Qatar affirmed that the agenda of women, peace and security is among the priorities of the State of Qatar in the context of its comprehensive policies at the national and international levels, based on its firm belief in the importance of ensuring the full rights of women and the advancement of the status of women as a primary partner in various stages of peacemaking and peace-building. This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al -Thani before the UN Security Council's open debate on "Women, Peace and Security: Investing in Women in Peacekeeping and Peace building", which was chaired Richelle Omamo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, who is chairing the work of the Council for this month. The statement referred to the State of Qatar's keenness, in its active role as a mediator in sponsoring dialogue for peace in Afghanistan, to include women in the Afghan peace talks. It added that "the State of Qatar, in the context of its continued keenness on its role as an international partner for Afghanistan,has devoted special attention to ensuring the preservation of the gains made by the Afghan people over the past decades, especially the gains made for women. In the statement, the State of Qatar stressed inclusiveness and respect for human rights for all, especially women, girls, children and minorities, and ensuring the vital role of Afghan women in the development of Afghanistan The statement stated that the State of Qatar is actively coordinating with international partners, highlighting the centrality of women's rights in Islamic law and successful examples of commitment to this in many Islamic countries, including the State of Qatar, where women fully and constructively exercise their rights. Since women and girls generally bear the greatest harm when the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the statement of the State of Qatar stressed the particular importance of solidarity with and support for Afghan women. The statement noted that the State of Qatar has facilitated the communication of United Nations officials with the authorities in Kabul, which resulted in guarantees to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid and not to obstruct the work of humanitarian actors, and to work on measures in favor of the continued operating of educational facilities and the education of girls. The statement indicated that the State of Qatar has facilitated the evacuation and hosting of thousands of people during the past weeks, with paying attention to women and girls.The statement also drew attention to the active role played by the State of Qatar in coordination with international partners, including the framework of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan, to move towards Given the importance of education, as a key factor in promoting women's participation in achieving peace and sustainable development in society, the statement stressed that the State of Qatar gives special priority to women and girls, especially in conflict situations, among the target groups in the education support programmes that it implements.