Dr. Al-Marri: We support all efforts of the government of Sudan and civil society organizations to advance human rights we call for broadening the dialogue with all actors to issue the law establishing the commission The decision to establish the Commission’s Steering Committee is an important step for filling the legal protection void Sudan’s election to the Human Rights Council confirms the aspirations of its leaders to fulfil its obligations

Khartoum: March 14, 2021

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Vice President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and Secretary-General of the Alliance, affirmed the coalition’s commitment to support Sudan to establish a National Commission for Human Rights based on independence, pluralism and transparency in accordance with the Paris Principles, noting the great role that the establishment of the Commission for Human Rights may play in the process of promoting and protecting human rights and redressing the victims, pointing out the importance of supporting Sudan, especially in the transitional phase in the fields of human rights, noting that this visit is the first of its kind within the framework of supporting the partnership between the government of Sudan and the Global Alliance to advance the protection of human rights.

This came during the visit of Dr. Ali bin Smaikh to the Republic of Sudan, during which he held extensive meetings with Dr. Maryam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Nasreddin Abdul-Bari, Minister of Justice, and leaders of the Steering Committee of the National Commission for Sudan Rights. During his meetings, Dr. Al-Marri presented an overview of the Global Alliance and its tasks and said: Our visit aims to discuss the importance of establishing human rights bodies and mechanisms. Al Marri reviewed with officials the best practices in drafting a law for the Commission and called for broadening the dialogue on Developing the draft law in a way that serves the promotion and protection of human rights. Al Marri also expressed the Alliance’s support for all the efforts of the government and civil society organizations in this regard and considered Sudan’s election to the Human Rights Council as an international recognition of the government’s sincere will to fulfil its obligations. Al-Marri praised the positive dialogue and the great interest of the Sudanese leadership in Supporting the human rights march.

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh welcomed the decision to establish the Steering Committee of the Human Rights Commission, which coincided with his visit to Sudan and considered it an important step to fill the legal void during this transitional stage and stressed the need to expand dialogue to adopt the law of the Commission for Human Rights in Sudan in accordance with the Paris Principles. Al Marri stressed the necessity of the rule of law, transitional justice, and the participation of victims in the process of developing the human rights system. Al Marri also praised the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Khartoum and called for intensifying training courses for diplomats on the international and regional human rights system. Al Marri also met with Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, First Vice President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan and civil society organizations.

Al-Marri met with the Spanish ambassador

March 10, 2021

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 Ms. Pelin Alvaro, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State. The two sides discussed the importance of protection and promotion of human rights and aspects of cooperation in issues of common concern.

Memorandum of cooperation between the National Human Rights Committee and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation

March 3, 2021

The National Human Rights Committee, represented by Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, concluded through video conference a memorandum of joint cooperation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation represented by Ms. Tatiana MOSKALKOVA, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation. The memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the scope of protecting citizens’ rights and to contribute to protecting human rights and freedoms in the two countries. In addition to coordination, partnership and mutual assistance between the two parties in the field of promoting human rights, in a way that contributes to the advancement of human rights culture in the two countries.

The memorandum also aims to strengthen the close relations between the two parties in the areas of disseminating the culture of human rights, in addition to cooperation on developing the human rights system, strategies and action plans of each party. The memorandum of understanding stipulated that the cooperation between the two sides includes the exchange of experiences, expertise and information related to complaints procedures and any other activities by the two parties within the framework of their powers, including mutual reporting and assistance in cases of violations of human rights and freedoms of Russian citizens on the territory of Qatar and citizens of Qatar on the territory of Russia. Cooperation also includes the provision of mutual assistance in promoting and protecting the human rights and freedoms of citizens of both parties, And reciprocal invitations to conferences, workshops, meetings and other activities within the scope of the promotion and protection of human rights, and any other topics related to the powers of the national human rights institutions organized by the two parties. Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri and Ms. Tatiana MOSKALKOVA, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation provided a briefing on the two institutions, their powers and competencies, and their methods of work, as well as the role and efforts of the two institutions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Al-Marri met with the German ambassador

February 17, 2021

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the headquarters of the Committee today with Dr. Claudius Fischbach, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the State of Qatar. The two sides discussed aspects of cooperation in issues of common interest

The National Human Rights Committee organized a training workshop on human rights concepts and protection mechanisms

Doha: February 7, 2021

In line with the precautionary measures in place to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Pandemic, a training course on “principles and concepts of human rights and mechanisms for protection” was organized today at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Committee for three weeks, from February 7 to March 4, with the aim of developing, strengthening and building the capabilities of cadres In the National Human Rights committee, raising awareness and knowledge of international and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights.

Mr. Mubarak Muhammad Al-Safran, Director of the Programs and Education Department at the committee, said: This training course comes within the framework of activating the strategic plan of the National Human Rights Committee, which aims to promote and protect human rights and enhance the skills of its cadres, and develop their capabilities, in addition to enhancing their capabilities in preparing reports to be submitted to international human rights organizations, bodies and committees.

Al-Safran noted the workshop will review many topics related to introducing human rights principles and concepts, and international human rights conventions, and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights, and national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the universal periodic review, and the role of treaty bodies in protecting human rights.

Al-Safran said, after the end of the training course, the participants are expected to be able to get acquainted with the various national mechanisms for protecting human rights, understanding the nature of national human rights institutions as one of the most important national mechanisms for protection, in addition to being fully aware of the nature of contractual mechanisms, and its role in protecting and promoting human rights.

Training, consultation and research activities included in the agreement

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to collaborate in raising awareness of human rights issues, while continuing to ensure all aspects of human rights are considered in the delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (Qatar 2022).

The MoU between the parties was signed by H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, H.E. Dr Ali Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the NHRC, and Nasser Al Khater, CEO of Q22.

Based on shared objectives – to protect and respect human rights, and believing in the opportunities that all parties have to contribute individually and jointly to the effective achievement of these objectives in the context of Qatar 2022 – the three organisations will collaborate in areas such as awareness and capacity building of relevant stakeholders, technical assistance, and the prevention and remediation of human rights impacts.

A joint working group will be established between the three organisations to deliver the objectives of the MoU. It will also facilitate information sharing and generate consultations on issues related to human rights relevant to the tournament. In addition, the agreement will facilitate the publication of research.

The NHRC is the Qatari institution recognised under the Paris Principles relating to national human rights institutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. The Qatari NHRC was accorded the highest rating (A-status) by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions for its compliance with the Paris Principles, including for example with respect to its independence, mandate, powers and resources.

H.E. Dr Ali Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee commented: “Based on our mandate, working to promote and respect human rights, we have aimed over the past years to spread an embedded culture of human rights across society, and presented studies and recommendations aimed at developing legislation, in particular those related to decent and fair work and access to justice. What we are witnessing today in terms of new work systems is a historic achievement for the State of Qatar and all its institutions, and a catalyst for more to be done to promote and respect human rights.”

“Under this agreement with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Q22, we are pleased to offer our expertise and experience in human rights issues. We are seizing the opportunity presented by this wonderful sporting occasion to implement best practices on human rights,” he added.

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: “The SC has worked tirelessly to protect the health, safety and welfare of all workers engaged on the Qatar 2022 project. We are proud of our achievements over the past ten years and strongly believe that our actions have created a benchmark for excellence – not just in Qatar, but across the region and around the world.”

Al Thawadi added: “We have always welcomed constructive feedback and collaboration with experts. The MoU we have signed with Q22 and the NHRC will help take our commitment to human rights to the next level. With less than two years until our historic tournament begins, this ties in with our goal of ensuring Qatar 2022 makes a meaningful contribution to the state’s vision on human rights and workers’ welfare.”

Commenting on the significance of the agreement for the tournament, Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC said: “When we bid for 2022, we promised to use the tournament as a catalyst for positive social, human and environmental change in Qatar. This MoU is another demonstration of that promise being delivered and we welcome it as a positive step to achieving one of our most important tournament objectives. Our collective expertise will help ensure that the rights of everyone involved in this ground-breaking World Cup – from workers and staff to players and fans – are upheld throughout, according to the highest international standards.”

“Qatar 2022 has already raised the bar for mega sporting events when it comes to sustainability and tournament legacy planning and this agreement will ensure that legacy endures long after the last ball has been kicked,” he added.

Joyce Cook, FIFA’s Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer, said: “We are delighted that this memorandum of understanding with the United Nations-recognised national human rights institution of Qatar is being signed and very much look forward to working together with Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy to help us in delivering our commitments to respecting the human rights of workers, fans, local communities and others touched by the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”

“This collaboration with the NHRC is an excellent example of how FIFA tournaments also provide a platform for local stakeholders to help drive lasting human rights legacies within hosting countries,” she added.

Al-Jamali: We aim to build a network of male and female trainers of law enforcement officials

Abdul Basit: Equal application of the law would achieve stability and sustainable human development

Doha: January 26, 2021

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) organized an online training program for law enforcement officials in the State of Qatar in cooperation with the Arab Institute for Human Rights in the Republic of Tunisia.
The organization of the training program comes within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two institutions that aimed at strengthening joint work in order to disseminate and protect the culture of human rights in the State of Qatar and the Arab region.
The training program, which will continue during 2021, aims to advance the participants’ knowledge and skills in the field of human rights to enhance their role in protecting human rights in line with relevant national legislation and international human rights law.
The training program consists of organizing a series of general and specialized workshops and training courses that take into account the needs of the beneficiaries in the field of human rights, where the NHRC and the Arab Institute will implement training activities remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic until further notice.
In his opening speech for the training program, Assistant Secretary-General of NHRC, Mr. Sultan Hassan Al Jamali said that one of the most important functions and terms of reference of the NHRC as a national institution is the promotion and protection of human rights in the State of Qatar and raising awareness of human rights and freedoms and to consolidating its principles, on both the levels of thought and practice, in addition to holding and organizing conferences, seminars, courses and panel discussions on issues related to human rights and freedoms as well as coordination with the concerned authorities in this regard, in addition to contributing to the preparation of programs related to human rights education and research, and participation in their implementation.
The Assistant Secretary-General stated that the training program generally aims to organize activities that provide information on international human rights standards, and educate the participants on their special role in protecting and promoting human rights, as well as promoting law enforcement officials’ respect and belief in human dignity and basic human rights. Al-Jamali added: The program’s activities include training of trainers, with the aim of building a network of male and female trainers of law enforcement personnel in the State of Qatar, pointing out that this workshop is the first activity to be held on the framework of the training program, in which different working papers will be presented on the emergence of human rights and defining their concepts, values ​​and principles, and the international human rights system including its treaty and non-treaty bodies and mechanisms, in addition to the role of actors in the field of human rights implementation and protection.
President of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Mr. Abdul Basit bin Hassan said that the training program is part of the partnership with the NHRC with the aim to focus on human rights and international human rights law and human rights protection mechanisms. Mr. Abdul Basit highlighted the importance of this topic for this category that has a fundamental role in applying human rights in law enforcement institutions pointing out to the importance of this group’s knowledge of the international human rights system, which enables them to apply the law to everyone with a great deal of equality to achieve stability and sustainability of human development.

January 13, 2021

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met via video conference, with Mr. Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of state for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and Mr. Stephen Gillen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. the meeting discussed aspects of joint cooperation on human rights issues and ways to improve the mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The National Human Rights Committee of the state of Qatar welcomes the Al-Ula Declaration issued in the 41st session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf named as “Summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah” on January 5, 2021, regarding promoting coordination and integration among the GCC countries and restoring the joint action to its normal track… as well as the positive atmosphere and official statements in the summit’s press conference regarding the Gulf reconciliation and resolving the crisis.

The Committee also welcomes the opening of the airspace, and land and sea borders by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The National Human Rights Committee considers the Al-Ula declaration an essential step in the right direction towards resolving the Gulf crisis and the total lifting of the resulting measures.

The committee reminds all parties of their responsibilities to address the impact of the restrictions imposed by the crisis, especially in the field of individual and group rights, which contributes to supporting the aspirations of the Gulf peoples towards stability, peace and respect for human rights.

The National Human Rights Committee urges the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf to intensify efforts to establish effective mechanisms for mediation and resolution of disputes between its members in order to achieve the protection of the rights of the Gulf peoples and to ensure that such incident would not recur in the future.

The bitter experience of our Gulf region gives serious thought to the need for concerted efforts of governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations to address the challenges facing the region and to spare people the scourge of political crises through establishing an inclusive dialogue to present proposals and initiatives that promote Gulf unity, peace and civil harmony.

05 Jumada Al-Awal, 1442
5th January 2021
Doha, Qatar

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