QNA
Doha
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah has affirmed the central role the committee plays in the protection and promotion of human rights in the Arab region, particularly as it is one of the first Arab institutions established in accordance with the Paris Principles.
She expressed the Committee’s aspiration to build an effective partnership with Canadian institutions in the fields of training and institutional development in human rights, with a focus on integrating human rights education into school curricula. Al Attiyah made the remarks during her meetings in the Canadian capital Ottawa with Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada Alexander Levesque , and Tabitha Tranquilla, who serves as director of Policy, Research, and International Relations at the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
During her meeting with the deputy assistant minister at Global Affairs Canada, Al Attiyah stressed the National Human Rights Committee’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between Qatar and Canada, especially in light of the growing bilateral relations across various fields. She noted that the Committee undertakes monitoring and advisory roles, including observing human rights conditions, submitting recommendations, offering legal support to petitioners, and raising awareness of human rights culture within society.
She also pointed out that the Committee is working on integrating human rights concepts into educational curricula in collaboration with relevant authorities, expressing hope for knowledge and exchange of expertise with Canadian counterparts. In her meeting with the director of Policy, Research, and International Relations at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Al Attiyah provided an overview of the Committee’s key areas of work, notably the protection of the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, in addition to the Committee’s ongoing efforts to embed human rights culture in formal education.
She expressed the Committee’s desire to open avenues of cooperation with Canadian institutions, particularly in the fields of education and human rights within educational institutions. She added that the Committee has developed educational materials and training toolkits tailored for teachers, as well as programmes directed at airport staff and cadets at the National Service Academy. Additionally, efforts were underway to include a human rights course at Qatar University, along with academic and training programmes for master’s students specialising in human rights.
The Committee also collaborates with Qatari universities in the areas of human rights research and specialised education. Al Attiyah said that the Committee organises regular events in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), adding that NHRC aspires to expand this cooperation with the Canadian side through the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enhance joint work in training and organising joint exhibitions.
For his part, Levesque expressed his country’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Qatar.He praised the role played by the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar and the progress it has achieved since its founding, commending Qatar’s legislative reforms, especially in labour laws. Levesque also emphasised Canada’s willingness to collaborate with the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, noting that avenues for cooperation will remain open for joint efforts.
Meanwhile, Tranquilla affirmed the importance of this visit in strengthening ties and enhancing cooperation between the two sides. She provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, highlighting its active participation in international forums, particularly within the United Nations system and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
