GCC warns against 'Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act'

Manama: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Monday expressed deep concerns about the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act" issued by the US Congress.

The act runs contrary to the established principles of the international law, especially that of sovereign equality among states, enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the GCC Secretariat said in a statement.

“The GCC considers the US act conflicting with the bases and principles of relations among states and the principles of sovereign immunity, established in the international laws and norms,” GCC Secretary General Abdul Lateef Bin Rashid Al Zayani said.

The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Breaching that principle will negatively impact relations among states, in addition to causing international economic damages, Al Zayani added.

The GCC chief said that the GCC member states hope that the US would not ratify the act that could constitute a dangerous precedent in international relations, as it will colossally breach established international principles that are based on the sovereign equality among states.

In the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, expressed the UAE's concern about the US Congress adopting the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act”.

Shaikh Abdullah said that the law was contrary to general liability rules and the principle of sovereignty enjoyed by states, WAM news agency reported.

"This law is not equal with the foundations and principles of relations among states, and represents a clear violation given its negative repercussions and dangerous precedents,” he was quoted as saying by the official news agency.

The UAE is looking forward to the US legislative authorities reviewing the law and not ratifying it in light of the serious consequences associated with implementing it on the well-established international principles attached to sovereignty that represents a cornerstone of international relations, he added.

Shaikh Abdullah warned of the negative effects of the law on all countries, including the United States, and the possible impact of chaos in the context of international relations, emphasising that such laws will negatively affect international efforts and cooperation to combat terrorism.

The UAE is looking to the US authorities not to endorse this law in order to ensure the maintenance of accepted international systems and principles, he said.

In Doha, Qatar said that it expressed its concern regarding the US Senate's passing of a bill that allows victims of September 11 to sue governments of foreign countries in US courts.

The head of the media office in the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the piece of legislation violates international law, particularly the principle of sovereign equality between states, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The official said that the bill represents a dangerous precedent.

“The State of Qatar warns that such a bill would have dangerous implication on relations between states,” he said. “Qatar looks for the US administration to take the necessary measure to prevent Congress from passing the bill, in order to maintain the shared interests of United States and other countries.”