GENEVA: The UN human rights chief said today he was alarmed by the possible impact of the diplomatic isolation of Qatar , warning it could lead to widespread suffering among ordinary people. "I am alarmed about the possible impact on many people's human rights in the wake of the decision by Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement. ""We are receiving reports that specific individuals have already been summarily instructed to leave the country they are residing in, or have been ordered to return home by their own government," he said.He warned that mix-nationality couples and their children, as well as people with jobs or businesses based in opposing states and students studying abroad would likely be "badly affected". "I am also extremely troubled to hear that the UAE and Bahrain are threatening to jail and fine people who express sympathy for Qatar or opposition to their own governments' actions," he said.This, he warned, "would appear to be a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression or opinion. "Zeid urged all the countries involved to quickly resolve their dispute through dialogue and to "refrain from any actions that could affect the well-being, health, employment and integrity of their inhabitants."

Source: Economic Times June 14, 2017 13:41 UTC