NHRC Chairperson Maryam Al-Attiyah Holds High-Level Meetings with UN, Human Rights, and Diplomatic Officials

rki.news
Doha – 6 December 2025:
H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), held a series of meetings with senior UN officials and diplomatic representatives to discuss advancing cooperation in human rights protection, particularly for children, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and other vulnerable groups. She met with H E Vanessa Frazier, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict; H E Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan; and H E Dr. Ali Salehabadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Qatar.
During her meeting with Vanessa Frazier, Al-Attiyah outlined the priorities of the NHRC and reaffirmed that children’s rights—especially the rights of children with disabilities—remain at the top of the Committee’s agenda. She noted that children with disabilities are among the groups most in need of protection, and highlighted Qatar’s Law on Persons with Disabilities as an important step toward empowerment and full participation in society. She added that the anticipated Child Law will provide an additional legislative framework to enhance children’s rights and well-being.
Al-Attiyah explained the NHRC’s independent mandate under the Paris Principles and its role in reviewing draft legislation to ensure alignment with international human rights conventions. She also commended Qatar’s support for UN efforts to protect children affected by conflicts, noting that many continue to face serious violations, including deprivation of education, violence, and psychological trauma.
The meeting also explored avenues for bilateral cooperation, such as organizing joint workshops and seminars on protecting children in conflict zones, exchanging expertise on monitoring and documentation of violations, and hosting advanced training programs and events in Doha.
In her meeting with Richard Bennett, Al-Attiyah discussed human rights developments in Afghanistan and reviewed the NHRC’s work at national, regional, and international levels. She praised Bennett’s efforts in documenting human rights conditions in Afghanistan and his humanitarian role in conveying the realities faced by Afghan communities to the international community. The discussion covered key issues highlighted in recent UN reports, including the rights of women and girls, education, employment, freedom of movement, protection of minorities, and media freedoms.
Both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in exchanging analyses, organizing workshops on protecting vulnerable groups, and supporting international efforts to promote accountability and combat impunity. Al-Attiyah affirmed the NHRC’s readiness to provide technical and human rights support in awareness and training initiatives.
During her meeting with Ambassador Salehabadi, Al-Attiyah reviewed the NHRC’s priorities related to promoting migrant workers’ rights, improving the work environment, and supporting priority groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. She emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between national human rights institutions in both countries to enhance capacity-building and expertise exchange.
The discussion also covered collaboration on child rights, including education, protection from exploitation, health, and social care. Both sides reviewed opportunities for joint training programs in legislation and protection mechanisms, as well as exchange visits and joint courses between relevant institutions. They also underscored the importance of enhancing intercultural and interfaith dialogue to promote mutual understanding and foster values of tolerance across the region.