A call to set out emergency preparedness to prepare national strategies to protect the elderly

Al-Jamali: Any imbalances affecting the elderly could disrupt the entire social system

Doha: 20-10-2020

Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee, called on setting out to establish emergency preparedness to prepare national strategies to face the crises that may affect the most vulnerable groups, including health crises or others, stressing in the same context the need for the issuance of a decision to establish National Committees Concerned with the affairs of women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as improving the process of protecting the most vulnerable groups and determining the appropriate responses to the health challenges they may be exposed to.

This came during the opening speech delivered by Al-Jamali at a webinar organized by the National Human Rights Committee on The situation of the rights of the elderly as one of the most vulnerable groups in times of crisis. The webinar is organized with the aim to shedd light on the status of the elderly in the State of Qatar, from a social and legal point of view or in terms of measures taken in terms of the efforts made at the policy and institutional level in general and in the quarantine period in particular. Al-Jamali said: The National Human Rights Committee praises Cabinet Decision No. (26) of 2019 to establish the National Committee for Women, Children, Older People and Persons with Disabilities Affairs, considering the decision a call to promote the rights of the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly. The Assistant Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee called on all governmental and non-governmental state bodies and institutions representing the Committee on Women, Children, Elderly People and Persons with Disabilities to set out emergency preparedness to prepare national strategies to address the crises that the most vulnerable groups may encounter. Al-Jamali appreciated the prominent and important role played by the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) and the high-level services it provides, most importantly the comprehensive care services provided by the center. Al Jamali said: There is no doubt that this center plays a great role in enhancing protection and empowerment for the elderly,

It is noteworthy that a package of working papers on the rights of the elderly in health crises were presented. Mr. Nasser Al-Marri, Head of the Investigations and Legal Consultations Department at the National Human Rights Committee presented a working paper on the rights of the elderly in the context of international human rights conventions, Ms. Reem Al-Ajmi, social affairs expert at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, presented a working paper on social and legal protection for the elderly at the national level, while Mr. Salem Al-Anzi, Head of the Psychological Care Unit at the Center for Empowerment and Elderly Care (Ehsan) presented a working paper on the psychological welfare of the elderly in the context of the coronavirus crisis.

October 13, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the headquarters of the Committee with Dr. Muhammad Mustafa Kokso, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey and his accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed ways of cooperation in issues of common interest to protect and promote human rights

October 12, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the headquarters of the Committee with Mr. Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of the Republic of India and his accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed the importance of cooperation to promote a culture of human rights and activate mechanisms for exchanging best practices between the two sides.

October 12, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the headquarters of the Committee with Mr. Abdul Rahim Al-Siddiq, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan. The meeting discussed issues of common interest in the human rights field.

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar, and Secretary General and Acting president of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions called for the reflection on the rethinking of governance and how to build societies that are more participatory and inclusive. In the same context, Al Marri said: The world is facing unprecedented times that have challenged us all to adapt and rethink the ways we were addressing life itself.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, together with co-sponsors (Argentina, Costa Rica, Denmark, the European Union, The Gambia, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Uruguay) hosted a high-level virtual side event on: Participation, Human Rights and the Governance Challenge Ahead. The high-level event was organized on the sideline of the 75th session of the UN general assembly. The side event discussed participation as a human right and a vital tool for multilateralism and Member States’ governance in addressing grave global challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the climate crisis and development. Among the panelists are Ms. Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Eamon Gilmore Special Representative for Human Rights of the European Union, Mr. Dawda A. Jallow Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, Mr. Christof Heyns Professor of Human Rights Law, University of Pretoria, and Member of the UN Human Rights Committee, and Ms. Satta Sheriff Young Leader for the SDGs and Founder and Executive Director of Action for Justice and Human Rights, Liberia. The side event was moderated by Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.

Al Marri pointed out Human rights have a constructive contribution to make as the world navigates these challenging times. They embody values – the importance of safety, dignity, decency, fairness, freedom, equality, respect, wellbeing, community and responsibility – which provide a compass for the way forward. A central element along this road are inclusive and participatory processes at all levels, and a safe and enabling environment for those promoting and defending rights. Participation in public affairs is a human right that is vital for leaving no one behind. The SDGs can only be achieved where there is a safe and enabling environment for participation in policy planning, implementing and assessment. National human rights institutions (or: NHRIs) have a critical role in supporting their states’ in building more inclusive and effective participation across their societies. NHRIs are a fundamental source of the maintenance of democracy and civic space, and by this, I mean autonomy, participation, inclusion, pluralism and security. We are in charge of ensuring that the new governance that are built from the changes that we are experiencing, have human rights as its main core.

Al Marri explained that The General Assembly has recently called on all states to establish and strengthen NHRIs as a means to accelerating and guaranteeing progress under the Agenda of 2030 for Sustainable Development. Inclusive dialogue with governments on public policies, safe environment for human rights defenders, free independent media and resources to guarantee the existence and continuity of civil society organizations, are all conditions for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Al Marri emphasized that GANHRI, as the alliance of national human rights institutions at the global level, fully supports the UN Secretary General’s mandate and call of action, and the work of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for human rights, and look forward to working with all in support of a just recovery that builds more equitable, accessibly, and participatory societies.

In conclusion, Dr. Ali extended thanks and gratitude to all participants for supporting GANHRI in its mission of establishing and strengthening independent NHRIs throughout the globe and encourage member states to protect National Human Rights Institutions.

Dr. Ali: GANHRI has been able to be the main interface of NHRIs at a global level and to speak with one voice on behalf of its members

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Acting Chairman of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, said: GANHRI has gone far in the last years and has grown consistently to become more visible and recognized on a global level where many achievements have been made. GANHRI has been able to be the main interface of NHRIs at a global level and to speak with one voice on behalf of its members.

This came during Dr. Ali bin Smaikh’s speech at the opening of the General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Forum, which was held today virtually. Dr. Al-Marri pointed out that As we are all aware, GANHRI is currently involved in various processes and I would like to highlight the main ones: On one hand, I would like to inform you that GANHRI is currently organizing a virtual Annual Meeting which will be held in October 2020 in partnership with the OHCHR. The exact dates, and modalities are yet to be confirmed. This meeting comes in lieu of the meeting which was supposed to take place last March and was cancelled because of the measures adopted by the Swiss authorities and the UN to counter the spread of Covid-19. On the other hand, comes the ongoing discussions led by the GANHRI Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) Chairperson between SCA members, observers and other stakeholders regarding the feasibility of holding the SCA sessions remotely.

In the same context, Dr. Ali noted that Another great process is the opportunity GANHRI has had to offer inputs at an early stage in the development of the resolution regarding the NHRIs for the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council. This was made possible thanks to a very consultative approach by Australia, the resolution’s main sponsor. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity today to invite you all to support this resolution, by engaging with your respective ministries and Permanent Missions in Geneva, which is of an extreme importance for members of all organizations. Additionally, GANHRI in cooperation with UNDP and OHCHR is developing a publication on the roles and experiences of NHRIs worldwide in addressing human rights during COVID-19 by implementing their mandates and functions under the Paris Principles. The research is currently ongoing, and we look forward to your participation by responding to a survey which GANHRI will shortly distribute to all GANHRI members.

At the end of his speech, Al-Marri expressed his gratitude for the participation of the General Assembly of the Asia Pacific Forum and said the power of our interconnectivity as humans and colleagues and emphasizes our will as a team to build a better tomorrow together by sharing the best practices, identifying the needs, innovating, creating and inventing the world of tomorrow ensuring that Human Rights are being promoted and respected everywhere, now more than ever.

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met today in his office at the headquarters of the Committee with His Excellency Ambassador Greta Holtz, Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy in Qatar. the two sides discussed the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise in the various fields of human rights.

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met today in his office at the headquarters of the Committee with His Excellency Mr Mohamed Ali Sobhani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of the end of his term as ambassador to the State of Qatar. the two sides stressed the need to activate means of communication for cooperation on issues related to the protection and promotion of human rights.