‘State Sponsor Of Terror’: UN Lawyer Roasts Pakistan For Defending Qatar Against Israeli Attacks

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 16:28 IST

Pakistan was left embarrassed at the United Nations after it interrupted UN human rights lawyer, Hilal Neuer, who was calling Qatar for “harbouring terrorists”.

A Pakistani diplomat interrupted UN human rights lawyer Hilal Neuer’s speech during a meeting. (Photo: UN Watch)

Pakistan was left embarrassed at the United Nations after an international human rights lawyer called out the country’s role in state-sponsored terrorism during a meeting to discuss the recent Israeli strikes on Qatar that targeted the political leadership of Hamas, which sparked international outrage.

During a UN Human Rights Council meeting, Hilal Neuer, a human rights lawyer and the executive director of UN Watch, called Pakistan “another state sponsor of terror” after Islamabad backed Qatar against the Israeli attacks.

Pakistan was among several countries who came out in support of Qatar against the Israeli strikes, saying, “We also strongly condemn Israel’s unlawful and heinous bombing in Qatar.” However, Neuer called out Qatar for harbouring terrorists and accused the nation of being a “state sponsor of terror” for hosting the political office 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. Speaking to the Qatari delegation, Neuer 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?”

He also asked why terrorists were being hosted in luxury hotels from where they planned their terrorist activities and why Qatar had backed Hamas’ takeover of Gaza in 2007. It also accused Doha of absolving Hamas of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

“Why do you act as a mediator by day, and a terror sponsor by night?” he said. “Let the record show, Qatar is a state sponsor of terror. The Gulf states said so in 2017 when they suspended ties with Qatar.”

Neuer then criticised UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for criticising Israel’s strikes on Qatar, saying when the United States killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, he had then said that “justice had been done to such a mastermind of international terrorism.”

At this point, the delegation of Pakistan interrupted Neuer’s speech, seemingly frustrated by his mention of Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan. “We reject casting unfounded accusations and allegations,” said a Pakistani diplomat, stressing the principles of the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of sovereign member states

The speaker gave Neuer four seconds to complete his address, after which the lawyer wrapped up with a single sentence, saying, “Mr. President, Pakistan is another state sponsor of terror.”

On September 9 (Tuesday), Israel carried out an airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas officials reportedly staying in the Qatari capital. The attack killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Hamas said its top leaders survived the strike.

Qatar has played a key role as a mediator in Israel-Hamas negotiations and has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012 with Washington’s backing. The rare strike on a US-aligned Gulf country has escalated regional tensions and raised concerns about wider instability in the region.

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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