The National Human Rights Committee formed electoral commissions to raise awareness during the next municipal council elections of 2015 in which The Higher Committee is headed by Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, member of the National Human Rights Committee, and the membership include Judge Fawaz Al-Gaatal, Dr. Asmaa Al-Attiyah and Mr. Jaber bin Saleh Al Hwail, Mr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Kaabi, Mr. Nasser Al Marzouk Sultan, and Ms. Asmaa Ali Al-Hassan.The aim of the electoral commissions is to raise the awareness of voters on the electoral process through seminars and workshops at universities and various municipalities and constituencies.

Dr. Al-Kuwari stressed that the importance of these committees in educating voters of the importance and value of the electoral process as a patriotic duty, therefore all the people of Qatar members should participate in this process, for the deepening of democratic behavior, including leading the State of Qatar to further progress Democratic and political prosperity. Al-Kuwari added that the committee shall spread the awareness of the stages of the electoral process including starting-up, campaigning, voting, counting of votes and declaration of results. He pointed out that electoral commissions have several media of awareness, including lectures at universities such as the University of Qatar, and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community, in addition to gatherings in sports clubs and malls, cultural and civil society organizations and institutions for persons with disabilities. Al-Kuwari said we will also distribute text messages and pamphlets to all the previously mentioned bodies; and through media channels including Qatar TV, Al-Rayyan and Qatar Radio; This election play a great important role in the creation of political maturity, intellectual awareness mutually between citizens and their representative candidates.

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee met at the four Seasons Hotel HE Mr. Ignacio Escobar, Spanish Ambassador to the Kingdom of the State of Qatar. The meeting discussed ways to cooperate on issues of common concern and mechanisms for the exchanging expertise and experience in the field of human rights.

The National Human Rights Committee received a visit from Omar bin Abdul Aziz Independent School for Boys. As a part of its efforts to deploy and establish human rights culture among school students.

Mr. Jaber Al Hwail, Director of the Legal Affairs Department gave the students a comprehensive lecture on the establishment of the NHRC, its mandate, objectives and local, regional and international activities, stressing that the National Human Rights Committee since its establishment plays a major role with full transparency and independence which helped attaining Status (A) by the Sub-committee of accreditation of the international coordination Committee of national human rights institutions, which in turn qualified the NHRC to chair the accreditation committee recently.
At the local level, Al Hwail explained the nature of the complaints received by the NHRC, he said: according to the decree establishing the NHRC, the NHRC is entitled to promote rights of individuals falling under the jurisdiction of the State of Qatar whether they are nationals, citizens, expatriates or transit travelers, explaining that there are many cases provided by petitioners which are related to the work of the NHRC; In this case, the NHRC provides legal advice and refers the cases to the competent authorities relevant to each case.

Al Hwail added that the NHRC in performing its role of awareness at the local level, holds workshops and seminars for institutions and communities, organizes training courses and media campaigns for workers to educate them their rights and responsibilities stipulated by the law, and distributes pamphlets and brochures often printed in more than one language, focusing on the languages which the workers are familiar to.

At the end of the lecture Al Hwail extended thanks to Omar bin Abdul Aziz School for their interest in the field of human rights and assured the willingness of the NHRC to visit the school to provide lectures to students on the topics they are interested in.

Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee met in her office at the headquarters of the NHRC HE Patrick Hennessy Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Qatar. The meeting discussed ways to cooperate on issues of common concern and mechanisms for the exchanging expertise and experience in the field of human rights.

Dr. Ali bin Al-Marri, chairman of the National Human Rights Committee met in his office at the headquarters of the NHRC, HE Netherlands’ Human Rights Ambassador Kees van Baar, and The ambassador of The Netherlands in Qatar, Yvette Borjrav-Van Ekhod. The meeting discussed means of cooperation on issues of common interest and exchange of experiences and expertise in the field of human rights.

Dr. Ali Al Marri, chairman of the National Human Rights Committee met at the headquarters of the NHRC, Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, director of the international labor standards department at the International Labor Organization (ILO). The meeting discussed ways of cooperation in issues of mutual interest in addition to exchanging expertise and experiences in the field of human rights.

Dr. Ali Al-Marri, Chairman of the NHRC confirmed that Qatar National Sport Day Sports reflects respect for human rights, and emphasizes the state’s respect for human rights at all levels. Al Marri stated in his speech on the occasion of the Sport Day that this day reflects the state’s interest in sports, athletes and the right to health.

Al Marri commended the state’s achievements at the sport level, in terms of sport facilities that have been established at the highest levels of international standards, and future planning based on modern scientific foundations. Al Marri added that all these achievements have a great impact on gaining confidence of global sports federations, including hosting The 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship in which Qatar who won the second place at the level of Asia, Dr. Al Marri commended this considerable effort, and proper planning, under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, may God protect him.

The NHRC announced the completion of its preparations to participate in the sports day on February 10th, 2015 at Aspire Zone with the participation of senior officials of the NHRC, headed by Dr. Ali Al Marri, Chairman of the NHRC in addition to the staff and their families.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, Head of Media and Public Relations Unit stated that the NHRC is keen to interact with public and private institutions in the state, especially in this day, where the NHRC has prepared a special a range of activities that suit all age groups for men and women, including football, table tennis, baby foot games and other activities for children including rope pulling, etc…

Al Mahmood said that the committee always supports all activities that promote the basic human rights such as the right to sport and healthy body, stressing that the State of Qatar leads the way in providing a decent life for all who live on it. Al Mahmood said that this day is of a great importance in motivating all employees in the state as it renews the spirit of work and dedication it; In addition, it strengthens the social ties among the staff of the NHRC on one hand and with other institutions on the other hand as there shall be joint activities with other institutions. It is worth mentioning that in the past year the NHRC launched its gym, which includes the latest sports equipment for men and two for women at certain times of the day, either before or after work under the supervision of a specialist coach.

A training workshop on “hot lines” jointly organized by the Qatar Foundation for Social Protection and Rehabilitation, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and the National Human Rights Committee at the headquarters of the NHRC from February 1st until 4th, 2015.

Mr. Jaber Al Hwail, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the NHRC stated in his speech in the opening session of the workshop that the aim of this workshop is to develop hotlines and raise the capacity of the administrators and operators of them, which reflects the cultural and moral values of the organizing institutions, and their professional performance and credibility.

Al Hwail added that the NHRC has an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights, where the legal department receives complaints and petitions of citizens and residents, through the hotline or personally at the NHRC’s headquarters; we are confident about the success of this workshop and its outcomes, practices and effective recommendations to improve the hotline operations in the National Human Rights Committee.

Al Hwail extended his thanks and gratitude to the participants in the workshop, and “Polaris” institution which provides the valuable technical training to build the skills of dealing with hotline service for social and humanitarian issues. Al Hwail commended the participation of experts and specialists of national institutions and civil society organizations in workshop that shall help exchange experiences and information, raise awareness and promote best practices relating to issues of common concern; finally Al Hwail expressed hopes and wishes for further cooperation between the participating institutions offering social and human services to provide protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking.

Ms. Noor Al Hor, consultant at the Qatar Foundation for the Protection of Social and Rehabilitation gave a speech on the importance of this training workshop on the management, operation and mechanisms of handling phone calls received from victims of human trafficking, Al Hor explained that Qatar Foundation participation in this workshop comes from its interest and eagerness to access and provide protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking through hotlines which is managed by a dedicated staff. She stressed that hotline mechanism is one of the most important protection mechanisms that countries are trying to handle properly, where this connection may be the first contact point with victims, this matter needs to be handed professionally to build confidence and trust that the necessary assistance and support will be provided to the caller.

Mr. Chris Newman, Welfare Manager at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, stated that the QF always seeks new ways to expand the avenues of communication for workers, where the participation of the organizers for this event is instrumental in ensuring that all our organizations can improve the standard of living for those residing in Qatar; Qatar Foundation is committed to ensuring dignity and respect for all, by providing a good quality of life, an appropriate work environment and suitable living conditions. In the spirit of the holistic and principled nature of the QF Mandatory Standards for Workers’ Welfare, QF continuously aims to improve the workers ability to relay their grievances in a safe, confidential and credible environment.