NHRC Chairperson Meets President of UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, September 17 (QNA) - HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah met separately with HE President of the United Nations Human Rights Council Ambassador Federico Villegas; HE Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr. Simon Geissbuhler; and Director of the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) Thomas Guerber, at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
The meetings discussed issues related to human rights around the world, cultural integration and interfaith dialogue, in addition to Qatar's preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
During her meeting with the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Her Excellency touched upon the complex situation of the human rights situation and its national institutions, in light of the devastating impact of climate change and the war in Ukraine, the related economic and financial crises, as well as the ongoing fears caused by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her Excellency said that the multilateral system is under severe pressure, as countries in many regions of the world have imposed restrictions on the civil space of human rights movements, and sometimes these movements have been harassed, pointing to the importance of relying on a strong international system based on the protection of human rights, as well as independent and effective human rights institutions, and an active civil society at the national, regional and international levels. She praised the leadership of the Human Rights Council, which she described as wise, in these very critical times.
Her Excellency noted that during the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, the GANHRI will address some pressing challenges, including the support for the resolution submitted by Australia on national human rights institutions and their role in addressing human rights in the context of climate change; expressing the hope to receive broad regional support in that regard.
She noted that an event will be hosted on the sidelines of the session, jointly with Australia, the United Nations Development Program, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Environment Program, on human rights, climate change and the role of national human rights institutions, in addition to participating in the discussions on the UN report on reprisals, civic space and the post-COVID-19 participation; calling GANHRI members to actively participate in the topics to be raised at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council.
HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah noted that GANHRI is preparing to participate in the 27th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), to be held in the Arab Republic of Egypt, focusing on the role of national human rights institutions in promoting meaningful and comprehensive participation in climate change processes, in partnership with UN partners and the Special Rapporteur on climate change.
She explained that the alliance has applied for observer status at this conference, to enable its members from national human rights institutions to present their experiences in the field of human rights and to contribute to decision-making in the field of climate change.
She stressed that GANHRI continues to engage in supporting the national human rights institutions at risk in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Guatemala, the Philippines, and many others.
She added that GANHRI works with countries, UN partners and the civil society with the aim of strengthening national human rights institutions around the world, in line with the Paris Principles and as an indicator in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (Goal 16), in order to ensure that the national human rights institutions that are members of the Alliance are well equipped, have mandates, powers, resources and institutional capacities to address challenges.
She highlighted the effective role of the Human Rights Council, including the universal periodic review and special procedures, in supporting the mandate of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) to help build and strengthen national human rights institutions to be independent and effective in all regions; looking forward to continuing work with all countries and partners in order to achieve this purpose.
In the same context, she highlighted that the Human Rights Council, including its bodies and mechanisms, is an important means for human rights institutions to provide information and receive relevant recommendations to support their important work locally, noting that this two-way process is of great importance for preventing violations.
On the other hand, during her meeting with HE Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr. Simon Geissbuhler, HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized the need to activate cooperation between the NHRC and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to enhance understanding on human rights and employment issues, in addition to cultural integration and interfaith dialogue; calling in this context for the renewal of the memorandum of understanding between the two sides.
The two sides discussed the developments of labor protection in Qatar, as well as the achievements, challenges and opportunities, in addition to the role of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue in promoting the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence, and the role of the NHRC in providing human rights courses for mosque preachers.
During her meeting with the DCAF Director, HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah discussed Qatar's preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting the National Human Rights Forum organized by the NHRC under the title "The role of law enforcement agencies in protecting human rights during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," during which the relevant authorities reviewed their vision and readiness for the tournament.
She underlined the important discussions that took place during the Forum on global sports events, ensuring respect for and promoting human rights and social and human peace, stressing the important role that the National Human Rights Committee will play in monitoring respect for human rights during and after the championship.
The two sides also discussed the lessons learned from the three courses organized by the NHRC at Hamad International Airport on human rights at international airports last June, in cooperation with the Geneva Center. It was also agreed to hold a training course for volunteers during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for NHRC staff in October. (QNA)