The Secretary-General and Acting Chairman of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri emphasized the effective role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the promotion and protection of human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations. 

In a supportive speech for the EuroMed Rights Network (EMHRN) via videoconferencing, Al Marri said, "considering that NHRIs are mechanism-independent of the government, they play a key role in preventing conflict and ensuring respect and protection of human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations."

In his speech, Dr Ali bin Smaikh stressed what he described as distinct and independent for NHRIs in connecting states, rights holders, and affected communities, which encourages the ratification of international human rights instruments and the development of national legislation and policies.

"As human rights institutions, we have the power to conduct investigations, act as intermediaries, as well as monitor, document and report violations, in a manner that allows us to act as an early warning mechanism," he said, adding that through these measures, NHRIs are enhancing education and training in the field of human rights among all sectors of society, in addition to promoting an active civil society, respect for human rights and the law sovereignty, which gives a voice to the voiceless and helps victims reach justice.

Dr al-Marri reviewed efforts of national institutions to increase their capacities in early warning operations to prevent conflicts and said that in 2015, NHRIs signed the Kyiv Declaration at the International Conference on the Role of NHRIs in Conflicts and Post-Conflict Situations, where the Declaration set goals for the promotion and protection of human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations.

He added that two years later in 2017, NHRIs participated in the annual meeting of the GANHRI to discuss the role of NHRIs in early warning, conflict prevention, and re-establishment of peaceful societies, as the meeting emphasized the importance of the role of NHRIs before, during and after conflicts, explaining that NHRIs agreed that during the conflict and in post-conflict situations, their mandates are difficult to implement, in addition to the possibility that their staff will be exposed to threats or attacks that endanger them and put their independence and integrity at stake.

Al-Marri stressed Coalition's support to its institutional members in cooperation with the four regional networks and global partners, as well as through the tripartite partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"We work together to support NHRIs in conflict and post-conflict situations in order to strengthen their capabilities, and act as a mediator of knowledge, while providing platforms for knowledge exchange with and between NHRIs across all regions, protecting them from exposure to reprisals or providing a coordinated response to those acts," he added.

Al-Marri considered online platforms a mediator for gathering expertise and experiences, explaining that online platforms help NHRIs discuss how to take a conflict resolution approach, as well as warn of early signs of conflict to prevent violations and re-create a peaceful society through the application of the Paris Principles, in addition to discussing the challenges related to the protection and promotion of human rights around the world and the challenges resulting from situations of tension, instability, violence, and conflict at the local and international levels.

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