The decision to cut ties with Qatar was not taken lightly and was done with the purpose of protecting national security after exhausting all other measures. The ultimate priority is to safe-guard stability and maintain the safety of the people in the region.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Kingdom of Bahrain issued a statement to the UN to the above effect, explaining their actions following a comment by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in which he expressed his fear that the result of the Qatar fall-out would have a knock-on effect on human rights. 

The statement in short:

1. The decision to cut ties came after exhausting all possible means after Qatar failed to respect Gulf agreements and for Qatar’s continued support and funding of terrorism, extremism and sectarian organisations.

2. The countries will address humanitarian and health cases, and ensure people have access to the right help, ‘in a manner consistent with international obligations under international human rights law and our long humanitarian traditions’.

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3. The priority is to safe-guard stability and maintain security of people in the region

Here is the full statement (via Khaleej Times)

Following the comment issued by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on June 14, 2017, on the impact of the Qatar diplomatic crisis on human rights, in which he expressed his fear that the decisions taken will affect human rights and while regretting that this statement came at a time when communication with the Office of the High Commissioner remain open to ensure the rights of all concerned and to verify the information and allegations received, the Permanent Missions of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain to the United Nations in Geneva have emphasised the following:

1. Decision to cut ties with Qatar are a sovereign right of the states concerned and aim to protect their national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism.

These decisions came after exhausting all possible means as a result of Qatar’s failure to comply with the Riyadh Agreement for the Return of Ambassadors and its Supplementary Agreement of 2014, and its continued support, funding and hosting of terrorist, extremist and sectarian organisations. These decisions were taken in full conformity with the fundamental principles of Public International Law.

2. Further to these decisions and for the sake of our brotherly Qatari people, which is a natural extension of its brothers in the three states, it was decided to take many measures aimed at addressing humanitarian and health cases, establish hotlines in each country so that cases can be reported and appropriate action be taken, in a manner consistent with international obligations under international human rights law and our long humanitarian traditions.

3. The Permanent Missions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirm their willingness to continue working with the concerned parties in order to achieve the desired results of this ‘break-up’, namely, to maintain security, to combat terrorism and to safeguard the stability and well-being of the people of the region, including the brotherly Qatari people, in full respect for their human rights’ and international humanitarian law’s commitments.