The UAE has called on the International Court of Justice to indicate provisional measures to “preserve its rights to procedural fairness” and have an “equal opportunity to present its case” in a long-running case with Qatar that it has rejected as having no basis.
In June 2018, Qatar initiated proceedings against the UAE, claiming that it passed laws or orders relating to the expulsion of Qataris from the Emirates. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation reiterated that its ongoing requirement is that Qatari citizens resident in the UAE should obtain prior permission for re-entry into UAE territory.
In an ICJ press release on Monday, the UAE called on Qatar to “desist from hampering” the UAE’s efforts to help Qatari citizens, including by “unblocking in its territory access to the website by which Qatari citizens can apply for a permit” to return to the UAE.
It also called on the Qatar to “immediately stop its national bodies and state-owned, controlled and funded media outlets” from aggravating and extending the dispute. It said such behaviour was making it more difficult to resolve the case.
The release said the UAE requested the court order that Doha “refrain from any action” that might also aggravate the dispute.
In a statement published by the Emirates’ news agency, Wam after the June proceedings, the ministry rebutted the allegations by Qatar. It said that the UAE has not passed any laws or orders pertaining to the expulsion of Qataris from the Emirates, and it has not taken any action towards expelling Qataris who remain in the country following a 14-day deadline.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport ties with Doha on June 5, 2017, over its support of extremist groups and interference in other countries’ affairs. The measures included that Qataris residing in the three GCC countries leave within 14 days.
Qataris studying in the GCC countries or married to Saudis or Emiratis were excluded from the measure.
The UAE has said that the ICJ has no authority to hear Qatar’s case.
