Qatar will host the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) conference under the title, “International Solidarity in the Implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals...the pivotal role of Goal 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” and the General Assembly of the Network in June.
This decision came during the first meeting of the 2020 executive committee, which was held by ANNHRI, headquartered in Doha, via videoconferencing under the chairmanship of Issam Yunus, head of ANNHRI’s current session, and head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Palestine.
Executive Director of ANNHRI Sultan bin Hassan al-Jamali, heads of national institutions who are members of the ANNHRI executive committee in several Arab countries, secretaries-general, members, advisers, and experts of these institutions attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed the network’s strategy and examined the decisions and recommendations of the previous General Assembly. The meeting also discussed the Covid-19 implications, challenges, solutions, and the role of national human rights institutions in light of this pandemic.
The ANNHRI executive committee praised the role and efforts of the network’s general administration during the pandemic, and unanimously agreed to approve the date of its 17th General Assembly on June 1, 2021, in Doha so that the presidency of the network will be transferred from Issam Yunus to HE Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, chairman of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC).
The executive committee affirmed the ANNHRI’s readiness to provide the required assistance to Sudan to establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the 1993 Paris Principles, in co-ordination and co-operation with the High Commission for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
It also encouraged co-operation with the Arab Charter on Human Rights and human rights management in the Arab League in a way that contributes to raising and building capabilities, developing the Arab human rights system, and promoting and protecting human rights in the Arab world.
Also, the meeting dealt with new challenges to the Palestinian issue from the attempts to annex the West Bank, Judaise Jerusalem as well as demolition of homes, which has multiplied after the wave of normalisation, and the new challenges that this has raised and violations of the rights of the Arabs in Palestine.
The meeting affirmed that “if there is no place for the Palestinian issue, there is no need for human rights institutions.” They affirmed that Palestine is witnessing an unprecedented situation, and that the Arab Network must express support for Palestine’s position and support it internationally through the activation of international humanitarian law and international human rights mechanisms.
The executive committee unanimously affirmed the previous network’s decisions and positions in support and adoption of the Palestinian issue and its support for the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Palestine and the Palestinian people in facing the problems and challenges that normalisation has caused. The executive committee also stressed the need to work to reach a clear position on the obligations of the state or third party under international law.
