Qatar has asserted that it efforts to protect human rights stem from its Permanent Constitution, which considers the promotion and protection of human rights as the backbone of the comprehensive reform policy (constitutional, economic, social and cultural), pursued by the country. Attention to human rights promotion and protection has been reflected in the development and strengthening of the human rights infrastructure at its legislative, institutional and awareness levels, as emphasised in the Qatar National Vision 2030 as well as in the first National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and the second 2018-2022.
This was stated in the opening speech of Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva ambassador Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, during the adoption of the third national report of Qatar by the working group on the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights 
Council (HRC).
The ambassador stressed that the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review was a valuable opportunity to assist states in improving, strengthening and promoting their obligations under international human rights law. The fruitful interaction between states during the review mechanism has also contributed to enhancing co-operation, drawing on experiences and learning from other countries’ experiences, leading to the achievement of the Council’s lofty goals, he added.
Ambassador al-Mansouri said that Qatar has been keen to actively participate in the Universal Periodic Review mechanism for its firm conviction of the importance of working and co-operating with international and regional mechanisms concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights in supporting the process of human rights protection at the national and international levels.
He explained that the issue of human rights has been reflected in the foreign policy of Qatar, through the rapid provision of humanitarian aid and support required to people in the affected areas around the world without exception, through Qatar Fund for Development, which considers human rights as one of the main pillars of Qatar’s international assistance and development, in addition to continuing to work to mediate in the resolution of many conflicts, believing in the importance of peace and stability as a basic infrastructure for the enjoyment of human rights.
He pointed out that despite the efforts exerted by Qatar in recent years and its achievements in the field of human rights, “Our great ambitions strengthen our determination to continue the effort to overcome all difficulties, build capacity, and benefit from international experiences and expertise. In this regard, we count heavily on our co-operation and dialogue with the various human rights mechanisms of the Council”.
The ambassador said that Qatar has received 270 recommendations, pointing that during the period between the review of the third national report of the country last May and the final adoption session on this day, the recommendations were classified and subjected to a wide consultation process with various government agencies and all segments of society.
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