Qatar Calls for Continued Cooperation between Governments and National Human Rights Institutions to Change Life for the Better
Geneva-May 7, 2024
The State of Qatar stressed the importance of good relationships and continuous cooperation between governments and national human rights institutions in order to achieve the common goal of changing people’s lives for the better.
This was mentioned in a speech by Her Excellency Dr Hind bint Abdul Rahman Al Muftah Permanent Representative of State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva during a ceremony organized by the Permanent Mission of Qatar in honour of Her Excellency Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, President of the Global Alliance of National Institutions for Human Rights and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee, held between 5-9 May 2024 in Geneva.
Her Excellency Dr Al Muftah pointed out that national human rights institutions are essential and active partners for governments in their efforts to promote and protect human rights. They also play an indispensable role in helping governments fulfil their obligations in this regard. Her Excellency also stressed that these institutions must find support to carry out their role and tasks independently, impartially and effectively.
Her Excellency Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva said that the world is undergoing rapid changes today, as a result of the revolution in the field of information technology and digital communications. On the one hand, this plays an important role in shaping every aspect of life and has helped significantly in enhancing the enjoyment of human rights. However, it has opened the door to new patterns of unprecedented challenges when this technology is used in an irrational manner. In this regard, Her Excellency stressed the need that everyone should be attentive to the opportunities and challenges associated with technological development in order to make the best use of them and avoid their harm and risks.
Her Excellency noted that the environmental challenges associated with climate change and health epidemics that the world has witnessed recently have had major impacts on a certain group of people. Yet, their influence has become tangible all over the planet, which necessitated a degree of unprecedented cooperation to address the effect of these challenges. Her Excellency also explained that in addition to these challenges, international and civil armed conflicts have recently increased horribly and led to thousands of victims especially women, children and the elderly.
Her Excellency added that all these challenges entail an indispensable role to be taken by national human rights institutions to support the efforts made by countries to achieve peace and security, promote development, and advance human rights. The role desired by the national human rights institutions is to put governments on the right track.
Her Excellency stressed the importance the State of Qatar attaches to the work carried out by the National Human Rights Committee as a key partner in all the steps taken by the State to enhance the enjoyment of human rights by citizens and residents in Qatar.
Her Excellency noted that Qatar's Permanent Delegation in Geneva is always keen to make recommendations to countries within the framework of the universal periodic review mechanism for establishing, strengthening and enhancing the role of national human rights institutions in these countries. This is in recognition that the effectiveness and independence of national human rights institutions have a direct impact on countries’ ability to carry out their mandate and contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights.