Qatar took part in the virtual general meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) yesterday.
HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, and acting chair of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri represented Qatar at the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, HE Dr al-Marri said that the Global Alliance has come a long way in the past years and has become more visible and effective after achieving many accomplishments, the most important of which is that it has become the main interface and mouthpiece of its members from national human rights institutions at the global level.
He reviewed the current projects carried out by the Global Alliance, most notably the preparation for the annual meeting that will be held virtually this year in October 2020, in partnership with the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In addition, the Global Alliance’s Subcommittee on Accreditation is developing the current working methods to adapt to the virtual nature of the meetings held remotely.
He stressed the utmost importance of holding the subcommittee sessions remotely before the end of this year, despite the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, in order to ensure the integrity of the accreditation process by the Global Alliance.
In the same context, HE Dr al-Marri praised the opportunity provided to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to contribute to the development of the resolution on national human rights institutions for the forty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council, which realised thanks to the consultative approach presented by Australia.
He called on the Asia Pacific Forum meeting to support this important decision for members of all organisations, through the relevant ministries in their countries and their permanent missions to the United Nations in Geneva.
He added that the Global Alliance is working, in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme and the Commission for Human Rights, to prepare a publication on the role and experiences of national human rights institutions around the world in dealing with human rights issues during the coronavirus crisis, by implementing their mandates and functions in accordance with the Paris Principles.
In conclusion, HE Dr al-Marri expressed his gratitude for participating in the general meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum, saying that holding this meeting confirms the ability to adapt to the changes in the world, and the strength of the interdependence and will as a team to build a better tomorrow, by sharing best practices and identifying needs, ensuring that human rights are protected, promoted and respected everywhere and more than ever before.
NHRC Chairman Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri taking part in the virtual meeting.
