Doha, September 08 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) will organize the 3rd national forum for human rights on Tuesday, under the theme of protecting children's rights in a safe digital environment: challenges and perspectives on empowerment and protection.

The forum will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Social Development and Family, in addition to the National Cyber Security Agency, and in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

The two-day forum aims to create a platform for national dialogue among ministries, public institutions, civil society, parents, and children regarding the latest developments and challenges facing children's rights in the digital environment. It seeks to provide insights to enhance legislation, public policies, administrative measures, and practices related to the prevention, empowerment, and protection of children in the digital space, based on a human rights approach.

The forum also aims to review key experiences and best practices at the national, regional, and international levels, enhance measures and practices related to protecting children's rights in the digital space, and promote measures related to empowering children in a digital environment within the context of Islamic values and national identity. Additionally, it will focus on raising awareness about the importance of empowering children to access the digital world and protecting them from potential risks.

The forum consists of a total of six sessions, three per day. Day One includes a first session on policies, programs, and technical measures for empowering and protecting children in the digital world; the second session will address national strategies and measures to protect children's rights in the digital space; while the third session will discuss best practices and measures for empowering children in the digital world.

On Day Two, the fourth session will discuss various measures to create a safe digital environment to empower and protect children. The fifth will focus on involving children in creating a safe and empowering digital environment, with the session dedicated entirely to children. The sixth and final session, which will involve session chairs, will include the forum's concluding statement and recommendations.

In its statement, NHRC highlighted the State of Qatar's commitment to empowering and protecting children's rights constitutionally and legally, citing Article 22 of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar which stipulates, "The State shall provide care for the young, and protect the same from corruption, exploitation, evils of physical, mental and spiritual neglect. The State shall also create conducive circumstances for developing their capabilities in all fields based on sound education." Moreover, the statement pointed to the adoption of several legislations related to protecting children's rights, including Cybercrime Prevention Law No. 14 of 2014, which includes protecting children from exploitation, in addition to the Qatar National Vision 2030 which aims to ensure and protect children's rights by providing a safe and healthy environment, ensuring access to high-quality education, healthcare, and other rights and services.

Not to mention Qatar’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which includes several goals regarding empowering children in the digital space. Furthermore, numerous Ministries and institutions, including the Ministries of Interior, Education and Higher Education, Communications and Information Technology, Justice, Social Development and Family, and the National Cyber Security Agency, have implemented measures related to prevention, empowerment, and protection to ensure that children enjoy a safe digital environment. This includes organizing programs aimed at raising awareness about digital rights and risks. (QNA)