Pakistan Called “State Sponsor of Terrorism” at UNHRC Meeting

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Sept 12: Pakistan was once again embarrassed at the United Nations for harbouring terrorists and was branded “another state sponsor of terrorism” along with Qatar.

The dramatic moment unfolded during a United Nations Human Rights Commission discussion on Israel’s recent attack in Qatar that targeted Hamas’s political leadership. A human rights lawyer Hillel Neuer was speaking at the meeting which started with the discussion of recent Israeli strikes on Qatar. After Islamabad supported Qatar against Israeli attacks, Neuer, who is also the executive director of UN Watch, called Pakistan “another state sponsor of terrorism”.

“We also strongly condemn Israel’s unlawful and heinous bombing in Qatar”, Pakistan said. Neuer accused Qatar of harbouring terrorists and for being a “state sponsor of terror” for hosting officials of Hamas. “We have heard a lot about international law from the world’s worst violators of international law. It’s time to challenge the perpetrators,” he said.

He then addressed the Qatari delegation and said, “If you don’t want targeted bombings of terrorists in your capital, why do you harbour terrorists in your capital? Terrorists who are still holding hostages, torturing them and rejecting peace deals?”

Neuer then proceeded to question why terrorists in Qatar were being hosted in luxury hotels – a place where they planned their terror activities from. He also questioned why Qatar had backed the takeover of Gaza by Hamas in 2007. “Why do you act as a mediator by day, and a terror sponsor by night?” he asked. “Let the record show, Qatar is a state sponsor of terror. The Gulf states said so in 2017 when they suspended ties with Qatar.”

Criticising UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for being hypocritical, he said the latter condemned Israel’s strikes on Qatar, but when Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan, he had said that “justice had been done to such a mastermind of international terrorism.”

At this point, Pakistan’s delegate interrupted Neuer’s speech, appearing visibly upset over his reference to bin Laden and Pakistan. The delegate asked the UNHRC chairperson to ensure that no speaker violated the principles of the UN Charter or the territorial integrity of sovereign member states. “We reject casting unfounded accusations and allegations,” Pakistan said.

However, the UNHRC chair supported Neuer and then restored the microphone to him Neuer telling him he had four seconds left to conclude his remarks. Neuer used those few seconds to maximum effect. “Mr President, Pakistan is another state sponsor of terror,” Neuer thundered as he ended his speech, leaving Pakistan’s representative visibly embarrassed.

On Tuesday, Israel said it had targeted Hamas leaders in Doha but the group said its top officials survived. Six people were killed in the attack: five Hamas members, none of them top leaders, as well as a Qatari member of the security forces in his 20s.

This was not the first time that Pakistan faced criticism on global platforms over terrorism. At the United Nations Security Council, the country has been under fire for multiple issues. India has, time and again, called out Pakistan at the UNSC for harbouring more than 20 UN-designated terrorist entities and providing “state support to cross-border terrorism.”

In July this year, New Delhi told a United Nations Security Council meeting presided over by Pakistan that there should be a “serious cost” to nations who foment cross-border terrorism, as it described the neighbouring country as a “serial borrower” steeped in “fanaticism.”