QNA
Ankara
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ombudsman Office of Turkiye to support cooperation and strengthen partnership by utilising the expertise and capabilities available to them to achieve a sustainable and effective response to all humanitarian and human rights activities within their competence.
The agreement was signed by Chairperson of NHRC HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah and Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye Mehmet Akarca.
In a statement on Saturday, the NHRC said the agreement aims to enhance joint cooperation and develop strategies and action plans as well as exchange of technical and institutional experience.
The agreement stipulates that in compliance with the rules, regulations and directives in force in their countries, they should cooperate to achieve common goals and visions in the areas of strengthening the national legislative framework in accordance with international agreements, participating in training programmes on human rights issues, conducting joint research, as well as conducting information and awareness-raising activities of common interest, and enhancing coordination between the parties to facilitate the implementation of their countries’ international obligations in the field of human rights.
The statement explained that the agreement highlighted that the implementation of cooperation between the parties should include the exchange of Information, laws and legislations, analytical materials and literature in the field of promoting and protecting human rights, as well as the exchange of experiences in the implementation of the parties’ international obligations in the field of human rights, assistance in human rights issues and freedoms for citizens of Turkiye in Qatar, and citizens of Qatar in Turkiye in addition to mutual assistance in the field of promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms for citizens of both countries, in accordance with the competencies of the parties.
NHRC added that the agreement also covers the implementation of joint programmes and projects aimed at conducting research on the protection of human rights and freedoms, and meeting mutual invitations to conferences, workshops, meetings, and other activities organized by the parties on the promotion and protection of human rights, and assistance in developing communication with civil society institutions in Qatar and Turkiye.
Attiyah and Akarca reviewed the joint efforts between the committee and the office, noting that the agreement between the two parties will ensure the continuation of cooperation and building an effective partnership.
She added that Turkiye is one of the leading countries in the field of legislation related to women’s rights, as it has signed the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as well as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
She said Turkiye has amended its constitution and laws to ensure the protection and promotion of women’s rights in various fields, noting that Qatar has also ratified the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women, adding that it pays great attention to the development of the human rights situation of women, and the promotion of their rights.
Attiyah proposed organising a joint training course focused on countering domestic violence and combating violence against women, with the aim of exchanging experiences and effective legislation between the two countries, enhancing awareness about ways to protect women from violence, supporting the capabilities of professionals working in this field, as well as organising a second specialized event highlighting these topics, to exchange knowledge and enhance dialogue on justice and human rights issues, expressing her aspiration that this event will be an opportunity to provide new insights by discussing ways to promote justice and human rights in the context of contemporary legal issues.
She provided an overview of the NHRC in terms of its origin and mechanisms of work in human rights awareness and education, methods of receiving complaints, visits and monitoring, as well as providing an overview of the most important features of the strategic plan of the NHRC 2024-2030.
She explained the committee’s interaction at the international level in terms of its leadership of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and as the first woman at the level of the Asian continent and the Arab region to chair the GANHRI, saying that the Committee was able to obtain observer status in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, conclude an agreement with the European Union to organise joint cooperation.
She added that the committee has led the coalition’s efforts in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Palestine, and has had an active role in terms of closer links between international institutions, international officials and the GANHRI.
Attiyah also met with Advisor to the Turkish President and former Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye Seref Malkoc, where she stressed the committee’s readiness to cooperate with all governmental, national and non-governmental mechanisms and institutions concerned with human rights in Turkiye through the exchange of experiences, expertise and best practices.
She also called for strengthening the role of legislative bodies and human rights institutions, through holding meetings, workshops and exchanging experiences, including work on holding conferences and seminars, and preparing studies and research.