DOHA: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah stressed the committee's keenness to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, pointing out that the NHRC defended the Palestinian people's right to live in peace and with dignity.
In her speech making the Qatar Human Rights Day, which falls on Nov 15 each year, she said that the NHRC contacted the United Nations, its programs, and agencies to stop the aggression against the citizens of the Gaza Strip and provide them with humanitarian aid and relief.
She added that the NHRC places all its capabilities in helping the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights to carry out its responsibilities out of belief in the universality and interconnectedness of human rights and adherence to societies in which peace, justice, dignity, and development prevail. She noted that these values are the standard of human conscience and an integral part of the religious teachings and Islamic culture that the NHRC cherishes.
The chairperson of the NHRC indicated that the celebration of Qatar Human Rights Day coincides with the awareness and educational activities organized by the NHRC on the sidelines of the Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, which is the first international horticultural exhibition held in the State of Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa region.
Al Attiyah stressed that since its establishment 21 years ago, the NHRC has contributed to improving the human rights record in the State of Qatar with achievements that strengthened the building of the state of the role of law, institutions, justice, and human rights.
She added that the NHRC contributed to the State of Qatar's involvement in international human rights instruments, the most recent of which were the International Covenants on Human Rights. The NHRC also proposed many legislations regarding the harmonization of applicable legislation with human rights standards, as well as the continuous endeavor to spread a culture of human rights in society and build the capabilities of national institutions to consolidate sustainable development and participate in creating it.
She noted the efforts made by the NHRC in educating citizens about the importance of participating in the Central Municipal Council elections, educating students of the National Service Academy about human rights, and allocating the second national forum to discuss the conditions of persons with disabilities and developing a national road map to ensure that they enjoy their rights on an equal basis with others in society.
She reiterated the NHRC's commitment to the rights-based approach in building national responses to all challenges and risks, stressing that the ideal goal was, and still is, to enable Qatar, a state and a society, to accumulate more gains that will lead it to the highest human rights standards as a first national demand.
Al Attiyah indicated that her presidency of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) reflects the member institutions' appreciation for the NHRC and its credibility and effectiveness, with its A rating for the third consecutive time. She added that the GANHRI recently succeeded in framing its strategic plan for the next three years and obtained from the Human Rights Council at its 51st session a resolution recognizing the role of national human rights institutions in climate action.
On the sidelines of the celebration of Qatari Human Rights Day, the National Human Rights Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Lawyers Association, within the framework of consolidating the principle of joint cooperation, and in an effort to establish a state of law, justice and dignity.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Chairperson of NHRC and the Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association Mubarak bin Abdullah Al Sulaiti.
TheChairperson of NHRC stressed that Qatari Human Rights Day is an annual opportunity to honor the committee partners and strengthen cooperation with them, noting that the Qatar Lawyers Association, over the 21 years of the committee's existence, has been a true partner of the committee in defending human rights and providing legal assistance to all who need it.
For his part, the Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association stressed that the highest goals of lawyers and the legal profession are to preserve rights, return them to their owners, and prevent corruption whenever possible. He added that there needs to be a sense of responsibility and passion for the profession before material consideration, and a commitment to justice and fairness. He praised the role of the NHRC and its various mechanisms in providing legal assistance to those he needed.
Meanwhile, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Turki bin Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud said in statements on this occasion that the celebration of Qatar Human Rights Day coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the National Human Rights Committee, which aims to promote and protect human rights in the State of Qatar.
Al Mahmoud added that the theme for this year's celebration aims to promote the right to a clean environment, which is one of the inherent rights emanating from human rights and protected and promoted by the State of Qatar, pointing out that holding the celebration in Al Bidda Park reflects the country's interest in The state is committed to the environment and is keen to create a system of sustainable, safe, healthy and clean places.
In turn, Vice President of the Qatar Lawyers Association Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani praised the effective partnership between the association and the National Human Rights Committee, and the joint cooperation to establish human rights and defend the oppressed.
He added that there is permanent coordination between the association and the National Human Rights Committee to provide legal consultations and attendance before the courts free of charge for those who are unable, with the aim of strengthening the right to litigation, which is guaranteed by the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar.
The Vice president of the Qatar Lawyers Association stressed that the memorandum of understanding signed by the committee and the association would enhance cooperation between the two parties to move forward in preserving human rights, especially vulnerable groups, and establishing human rights values.
