UN top court begins hearing Qatar lawsuit against UAE

THE HAGUE, June 27 (Agencies): The United Nations (UN) highest court has begun hearing a lawsuit by Qatar accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of "discrimination against Qatar and Qatari citizens" amid a yearlong boycott by four Arab nations.

The UAE denies the allegations.

Qatar Wednesday will launch an urgent case before the UN's highest court against United Arab Emirates, accusing it of human rights violations after its Gulf neighbours cut all ties with Doha last year.

During a three-day hearing at the International Court of Justice, judges will hear arguments by Doha's lawyers, with the UAE to respond on Thursday. Both will talk on Friday.

The case comes a year after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Doha on June 5, 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Doha denies the allegations.

Qatar, a small peninsula nation, found its only land border closed, its state-owned airline barred from using its neighbours' airspace, and Qatari residents expelled from the boycotting countries.