NHRC Signs MoUs with ILO and Azerbaijan’s Social Research Center

Doha, May 31 (QNA) – The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) signed two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on the sidelines of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, held recently in Doha. The agreements were made with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Social Research Center, formalized by HE Chairperson of NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NHRC highlighted that these MoUs are part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand its international cooperation network dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights.
HE Al Attiyah stressed that the MoU with the ILO represents a pivotal step toward consolidating the principles of social justice and advancing the rights of workers. This includes a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as migrant workers, women, older persons, and persons with disabilities. She pointed out that institutional cooperation with the ILO will help develop tools aimed at raising awareness and providing training. Moreover, this partnership will activate community engagement channels, aligning perfectly with the NHRC’s strategic goals and Qatar’s national development plans.
Regarding the MoU with Azerbaijan’s Social Research Center, HE Al Attiyah explained that it broadens international academic and research partnerships. It offers valuable opportunities to exchange expertise on harmonizing national legislation with international treaties, strengthening mechanisms for monitoring and documentation, and building national human rights capacities. She affirmed that this cooperation underlines NHRC’s commitment to collaborative action and complementarity with peer institutions on the global stage.
The ILO MoU, signed by HE Max Tunon, head of the ILO Office in Doha, seeks to establish a formal framework for cooperation in promoting human rights and labor rights, especially for migrant workers. The agreement aligns with Qatar’s national human rights strategy for 2024–2030 and the ILO–Ministry of Labour Joint Work Program (2024–2028).
Planned cooperation activities include the development of awareness campaigns and training materials targeting community members and leaders, conducting specialized workshops for NHRC staff on human rights and international labor standards, and creating guidance tools for the private sector on responsible business conduct. The partnership also emphasizes promoting equal opportunities, combating discrimination in the labor market, encouraging knowledge exchange with human rights institutions in the Global South, and launching a joint annual work plan starting this year.
The MoU with Chairperson Zahid Oruj of the Social Research Center aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise and information regarding aligning national laws with international treaties. It also includes collaboration on promoting a culture of human rights through joint training and research programs, strengthening monitoring and redress mechanisms, protecting citizens’ rights when residing in the other country, organizing reciprocal visits, exchanging publications, and implementing joint research projects on contemporary human rights issues.
Both parties agreed to refer to international human rights law and the 1993 Paris Principles as guiding frameworks. They recognize the importance of respecting national legislation and legal sovereignty while balancing national and international commitments.
The MoU requires each party to appoint coordinators responsible for direct communication, coordinating cooperation areas, and monitoring activities through periodic reports. The agreement also allows for proposing additional operational arrangements not explicitly mentioned, ensuring flexibility in implementation.
Furthermore, both parties commit to preparing detailed annual reports for their senior authorities, outlining achievements and challenges, reflecting a shared dedication to regular evaluation and sound governance within the partnership.