NHRC Celebrates International Human Rights Day

English , Qatar - قطر , Snippets , / Saturday, December 14th, 2024

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Doha, December 14 (QNA) – The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) marked International Human Rights Day and the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by organizing a symposium titled “Human Rights: A Path for Solutions.” Held in collaboration with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions and the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, the event aligned with this year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.”

The symposium explored ways to strengthen the global human rights movement by fostering innovation, enhancing the prevention of conflicts, and building sustainable peace. It also addressed critical issues such as equality, economic transformation, and the role of human rights in environmental preservation and climate change. At the event, the NHRC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, further reinforcing its commitment to advancing human rights.

Participants emphasized the importance of governance reforms and measures to combat impunity while encouraging the adoption of modern technology to promote awareness about human rights, especially among youth. The discussions highlighted the need to empower young people economically to address unemployment and ensure their meaningful participation in political and social dialogues. To achieve this, the symposium stressed improving education on human rights through integration into school curricula and vocational training, enabling youth to exercise and champion their rights effectively.

Another key focus of the symposium was the importance of justice and the rule of law in preventing human rights violations. Strengthening judicial independence, prohibiting torture, and reducing the excessive application of the death penalty were among the highlighted measures. It also called for improving the treatment of prisoners and detainees, abolishing practices like precautionary detention, and ensuring the availability of mechanisms to address complaints and provide redress for human rights violations, including those linked to economic and social inequalities.

The symposium further underlined the significance of creating a supportive environment for civil society organizations, urging governments to ensure their freedom to operate. It also encouraged partnerships between governments and civil society to promote sustainable development that aligns with the aspirations of local communities while safeguarding the rights of future generations. Participants called on Arab governments and the international community to work towards reducing conflicts and stopping aggression in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria to protect human rights and restore stability.

HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, Chairperson of the NHRC, highlighted that International Human Rights Day serves as an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She noted that despite progress in human rights, challenges such as armed conflicts, climate change, and technological advancements continue to hinder their full realization. She emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach based on human rights principles such as equality, non-discrimination, and interdependence to overcome these obstacles.

Her Excellency stressed that addressing these challenges requires reforming the United Nations to strengthen its role in ending violations and impunity. She urged states to honor their human rights obligations by supporting national institutions, fostering an enabling environment for civil society, and involving all stakeholders in decision-making. HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah reiterated NHRC’s dedication to this year’s theme and vision, calling for collective action to protect human rights, counter double standards, and ensure a future where human dignity is upheld globally.