Qatar considers respect for human rights a top priority in accordance with international standards, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) said, adding Qatar is working to strengthen them through continuous development of legislation, procedures and practices on the ground.
At the national level, Qatar has pioneering achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights and its advancement in many areas for citizens and residents and all those subject to the jurisdiction of the state, the NHRC pointed out.
In its statement on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Committee commended Qatar’s accession to the International Covenants on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which would reflect positively on strategies, policies and legislation.
The most prominent of which is its National Vision 2030.
The NHRC stressed that, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar has taken a legislative approach in line with the principles of preserving, respecting, promoting and protecting these rights in all fields, pointing out that it has been encouraging the state to continue this development and reforms.
It also highlighted the importance of concerted action and national, regional and global efforts to promote and uphold the timeless principles set out in the International Bill and other human rights conventions in the midst of the widespread crimes and abuses throughout the world.
It also underpinned the need to put an end to such abuses and to enable peoples to enjoy their full rights without discrimination.
The NHRC noted that some of the most important problems facing the international community at present were military conflicts, conflicts and crises affecting the enjoyment of human rights, the absence of criminal justice to punish the perpetrators of violations, the protection of journalists and the problem of refugees, calling on the United Nations and relevant international human rights bodies and organisations to provide and activate the necessary mechanisms to protect them all and defend their lives and rights in accordance with international humanitarian law in time of war or peace.
Since its inception, the committee has been working to fulfil its role in the promotion and protection of human rights, it said, while highlighting it made several achievements, faced some challenges and obtained full membership by the Accreditation Committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
It was awarded the ‘A Status’ in 2010 for five years and was re-accredited in 2015 for the same period, the NHRC said, indicating its commitment to the Paris Principles for the work of national human rights committees as well as its full membership in the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions at a time when it has always been working on developing its working tools and co-operating with all internal and international bodies.
The NHRC said that in light of the unjust siege imposed on Qatar, which affects the peace and security in the region, affects the enjoyment of human rights for the citizens of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), and violates the provisions of international law and human rights instruments and heavenly religions, it has worked continuously without interruption since the first moment to receive those affected by the siege, and it has taken swift action internationally and co-ordinated with all the authorities concerned to lift the siege, and has exerted all possible efforts to mitigate the siege’s consequences on the citizens and residents of Qatar, including nationals of the siege countries.
It pointed out that it has taken and will continue its efforts with international human rights organisations and bodies regarding violations of the rights of citizens and residents of Qatar.
In its statement, the NHRC affirmed that it will continue to play its role to promote human rights in all fields in co-operation and co-ordination with all governmental and non-governmental bodies concerned in the state.
Through its current strategic plan for 2017-2022, the NHRC seeks to raise awareness on all human rights, introduce international conventions and national legislations, focus on all issues of citizens and residents, promote and protect these rights and adopt initiatives on the rights of persons with disabilities, women, children and the elderly, while ensuring remedy for all without discrimination.
On the occasion of the day on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the committee will hold numerous awareness and educational activities and events.

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