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Qatar participated in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), currently convening in Geneva. Qatar was represented at the event by Her Excellency Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad. In her address, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation noted that the HRC establishment nearly 20 years ago has contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights through collective multilateral action grounded in the principles of freedom, justice, equality, and mutual respect. Her Excellency reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for the Council and its mandate, underscoring that the protection of human rights constitutes a fundamental pillar of Qatar’s foreign policy and a national priority, based on an integrated constitutional, legislative, and institutional framework that guarantees the safeguarding of rights and freedoms and strengthens the rule of law. She stated that over the past two decades, Qatar has assumed the role of a neutral and trusted mediator in regional and international conflicts, contributing to ceasefire agreements, facilitating prisoner exchanges, restoring diplomatic relations, and supporting peace accords, thereby enhancing stability in several regions. HE al-Misnad highlighted that women, children, patients, and the elderly in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including medicine, food, education, and a safe environment that enables them to live in peace. She stressed that the stability of the Gaza Strip and its population is the cornerstone of any development plans. She called for full adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of all its provisions, including ensuring the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid and the sustainable opening of all crossings. Her Excellency reiterated Qatar’s welcoming of the ceasefire agreement and the full integration between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces as an important step toward strengthening civil peace and consolidating security and stability, while preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She affirmed that Qatar has consistently stood alongside the brotherly Syrian people. She further welcomed the engagement of the Syrian government with UN mechanisms, including the establishment of national committees concerned with transitional justice and missing persons, in a manner that enhances accountability, justice, and supports national reconciliation. HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation expressed Qatar’s deep concern over the continued fighting in Sudan, which claims hundreds of lives daily and has exacerbated suffering and the humanitarian crisis to unprecedented levels, alongside grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. She renewed Qatar’s call for all parties to prioritise national interests, end the war, and build sustainable peace that preserves Sudan’s unity, institutions, independence, and territorial sovereignty, and fulfills the aspirations of its brotherly people for security, stability, and development. Her Excellency also referred to Qatar’s support for women in Sudan who have been subjected to severe humanitarian violations, through the provision of US$10mn to support their rehabilitation and enable access to psychological, social, and economic assistance. She affirmed that Qatar will continue to support mediation efforts and international co-operation aimed at achieving peace, safeguarding human rights, and upholding human dignity.  

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Co-operation Dr Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met on Monday with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Dr Barham Salih, on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.During the meeting, the two sides reviewed co-operation between Qatar and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and discussed ways to further strengthen their partnership in support of humanitarian response efforts in crisis-affected areas. HE the minister affirmed Qatar's unwavering commitment to supporting the UNHCR's efforts to protect the rights of refugees and provide urgent humanitarian assistance, based on its firm belief in multilateral action to alleviate human suffering. 

Qatar reaffirmed its firm position in support of the unity of Sudan, the integrity of its territory, and the right of its brotherly people to enjoy security, stability, and a dignified life. This came in Qatar's statement delivered by Her Excellency Permanent Representative of Qatar in Geneva Dr Hend bint Abdulrahman al-Muftah, during the 38th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on human rights situation in and around El-Fasher, Sudan held in Geneva.Her Excellency al-Muftah reiterated Qatar's ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of the Sudanese people and rejecting any form of interference in Sudan's internal affairs, particularly those that fuel the ongoing armed conflict and contribute to its prolongation.She expressed Qatar's shock and strong condemnation of the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Fasher following the recent attack, calling for an end to these violations and crimes and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.She also renewed Qatar's call for an end to the war in Sudan and for a peaceful resolution that ensures the country's unity, preserves its institutions, and safeguards its territorial sovereignty.She stressed that the time has come for the world to pay attention to this humanitarian tragedy and work seriously to end it, as each passing day reveals more atrocities that are paid for by innocent civilians, as witnessed in El-Fasher and its surroundings, with fears of recurrence in other areas unless swift action is taken to stop them.Her Excellency al-Muftah reaffirmed Qatar's solidarity with the Sudanese people during this critical humanitarian situation and its continued provision of all forms of support to alleviate the crisis.She called on the international community to intensify its efforts and respond by providing humanitarian aid to meet the growing needs of the Sudanese people.At the conclusion of its special session, the Human Rights Council adopted, without a vote, a resolution calling for an urgent investigation into recent violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed in El-Fasher and surrounding areas.

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has unanimously adopted a resolution presented by Qatar to protect the rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict settings. Qatar tabled the resolution, which seeks to ensure justice, remedies, and reparations for the victims, on behalf of a core group that also includes Costa Rica.The resolution received broad support, with more than 70 countries co-sponsoring it across various regional blocs. In presenting the resolution, HE Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr Hind Abdulrahman al-Muftah, highlighted the alarming rise in armed conflicts worldwide - estimated at 130 by the International Committee of the Red Cross - and the disproportionate impact on civilians, particularly women and children.She stressed that these groups often suffer grave violations of their fundamental rights due to the disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and that existing mechanisms for justice and reparations remain inadequate amid growing impunity. HE Dr al-Muftah described the resolution as a sincere call for practical measures to better protect women and children in conflict zones and ensure their voices remain central in justice and accountability processes. The resolution drew strong praise from member states during the adoption session. Five countries spoke on behalf of regional groups - Kuwait (Gulf Co-operation Council), Algeria (Arab Group), Indonesia (OIC), Cyprus (EU), and Kyrgyzstan (Turkic-speaking states) - alongside 15 other countries, all of whom underscored the resolution’s timeliness and its comprehensive approach to protecting vulnerable populations in conflict and post-conflict settings, in line with international legal obligations.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to hold an emergency debate today, on Israel's September 9 attack against Qatar. This emergency debate was requested during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva by Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva Bilal Ahmad, on behalf of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Group and Permanent Representative of the Kuwait Naser Al Hayen, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.