HE the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah, has stressed the committee's keenness to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, pointing out that the NHRC defended and still defending 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, HE al-Attiyah said that the NHRC contacted the UN, its programmes, 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 NHRC chairperson said that the celebration of Qatar Human Rights Day coincides with the awareness and educational activities organised by the NHRC on the sidelines of the Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, which is the first international horticultural exhibition held in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa region.
She stressed that since its establishment 21 years ago, the NHRC has contributed to improving the human rights record in Qatar with achievements that strengthened the role of law, institutions, justice, and human rights.
She added that the NHRC contributed to 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 harmonisation 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.
On the sidelines of the celebration of Qatari Human Rights Day, the NHRC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Lawyers Association in an effort to establish a state of law, justice and dignity.
The MoU was signed by the NHRC Chairperson and the Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association Mubarak bin Abdullah al-Sulaiti.
The NHRC chairperson noted 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, al-Sulaiti 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 praised the NHRC's role and its various mechanisms in providing legal assistance to those he needed.
Meanwhile, HE the Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Turki bin Abdullah Zaid al-Mahmoud, said that the theme of this year's celebration of Qatar Human Rights Day 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, 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.
Vice-President of the Qatar Lawyers Association HE Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani praised the effective partnership between the association and the NHRC, and the co-operation to establish human rights and defend the oppressed.
He added that there is permanent co-ordination between the association and the NHRC 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 Qatar.
HE al-Attiyah said that the NHRC contacted the UN, its programmes, and agencies to stop the aggression against the citizens of the Gaza Strip and provide them with humanitarian aid and relief.
