MPs to act against Qatar to protect Bahraini fishermen

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A group of lawmakers are mulling action in light of the Qatari systematic targeting of Bahraini fishermen inside the Kingdom’s territorial waters.

“The parliamentary move comes in the wake of the documentary “Arrows of Treachery” which was aired on Sky News Arabia, exposing Qatar’s violations and aggression”m said Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee Chairman MP Mohammed Al-Sisi Al-Bouainain.

He said that the Qatari systematic and hostile policy against Bahrain and its people represent an act of political blackmail and provocation by targeting fishermen inside the Kingdom’s territorial waters, detaining them without trial and confiscating their boats which harms their livelihoods.

He said that the parliamentary action aims to defend Bahraini fishermen’s rights and support their call to put an end to the dangerous provocative acts perpetrated by the Qatari authorities inside Bahrain’s territorial waters.

MP Al-Sisi said that a file would be prepared to document the flagrant violations perpetrated by the Qatari authorities against Bahraini fishermen.

He pointed out that the dossier would be handed over to the executive branch of government prior to its referral to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General Secretariat.

MP Al-Sisi did not rule out resorting to international courts and authorities to hold the aggressors accountable and claim compensation for the affected fishermen due to the Qatari encroachments on Bahraini territorial waters.  

Meanwhile, the Bahrain Interior Ministry has followed up the statement on the Qatari Interior Ministry posted in its Twitter Account about the arrest of three sailors and the confiscations of their Bahraini boat at Fasht Aldeebl by the Qatar Border Guards and Coast Guards.

The Ministry highlighted that it wasn’t notified officially about the incident by the concerned Qatari authorities, asserting that the provocative practices by Qatar go against the principles of the Gulf Cooperation Council,  the neighbouring ties and international norms.

They also reflect the hostility of Qatar and its targeting of the livelihoods of Bahrainis.

The Ministry asserted its rights to take the appropriate steps to protect its rights and the rights of citizens, as the regional waters have been the source of income for local fishermen for years.