Maryam Al-Attiyah Meets UN Officials to Strengthen Human Rights Cooperation

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, October 30th, 2025

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New York – October 28, 2025

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in the State of Qatar, H.E. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, met with H.E. Ilze Brands Kehris, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and Qatar’s ongoing efforts to strengthen human rights and legislative frameworks in line with international standards.

During the meeting, Al-Attiyah expressed her appreciation for the strong cooperation between the NHRC and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She affirmed the Committee’s commitment to fostering constructive dialogue with the United Nations and enhancing Qatar’s engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

Al-Attiyah highlighted the NHRC’s active role as a partner in the UN system through the preparation of shadow reports, participation in the Universal Periodic Review process, and capacity-building initiatives related to treaty reporting and follow-up on recommendations. She commended the ongoing collaboration with OHCHR and emphasized the importance of enhancing technical cooperation and exchanging expertise to ensure the effective implementation of human rights legislation and tangible improvements on the ground.

The NHRC Chairperson underlined Qatar’s major progress in labor reforms in recent years, carried out in partnership with the International Labour Organization. These include the abolition of the sponsorship system, the establishment of a non-discriminatory minimum wage, and the introduction of grievance mechanisms—reflecting Qatar’s commitment to protecting migrant workers’ rights and ensuring decent working conditions. She praised state institutions for their oversight role in monitoring compliance across public and private sectors, noting the resulting positive human rights indicators.

Al-Attiyah also stressed the Committee’s efforts to promote women’s rights and enhance their participation in public life and decision-making, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and international conventions. She noted that flexible work systems have helped balance women’s professional growth with family responsibilities, contributing to social and economic progress.

Discussing recent legislative developments, Al-Attiyah cited the Law on Persons with Disabilities as a landmark achievement aligning national legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The law guarantees equal rights in education, employment, and public life, affirming Qatar’s leadership in promoting inclusion and empowerment.

She recalled the NHRC’s continued advocacy for persons with disabilities, highlighting the second National Human Rights Forum held in September 2023 under the theme “Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Protection and Empowerment.” The forum brought together representatives from government bodies, civil society, and disability organizations to shape a unified national approach.

Al-Attiyah further noted that Qatar is finalizing a new draft Child Law, which will mark a major advancement in protecting children’s rights, particularly in education, healthcare, and protection from violence and exploitation. She stressed that this law complements Qatar’s broader human rights agenda and reflects the State’s ongoing commitment to legislative modernization and compliance with global human rights standards.

Concluding the meeting, Al-Attiyah reaffirmed NHRC’s dedication to monitoring and documenting human rights developments, providing recommendations to state institutions, and maintaining open cooperation with government bodies. She expressed appreciation for the continued support and engagement received from national entities, which, she said, greatly contribute to promoting a culture of human rights and ensuring the sustainability of Qatar’s progress in this field.