Doha, January 02

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) launched today “Together we work” campaign, as part of the implementation of the Committee’s work strategy aimed at spreading and strengthening awareness at the national level of the need for cooperation to consolidate knowledge of workers’ rights and duties and spread a culture of human rights in general.

The campaign targets employers and workers residing in the State of Qatar, of both sexes, to make them aware of their rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution of the State of Qatar, affirmed by the Labor Law, and reinforced by international human rights conventions ratified by the State, especially in light of the legal amendments in Qatari legislation, which affirmed the protection of workers’ rights.

The Head of Public Relations and Media Unit at the National Human Rights Committee Abdullah Ali Al-Mahmoud, stressed the importance of this campaign as it targets an important segment of society that plays a major role in advancing the development process in the country.

He said that the National Human Rights Committee attaches great importance to the issues of workers and employers alike, with the aim of consolidating human rights principles and translating them on the ground in various fields of work and contributing to overcoming obstacles that prevent all parties from enjoying full and undiminished rights.

Al-Mahmoud pointed out that the campaign focuses on important axes, including all aspects related to workers and employers, which will be introduced and discussed by specialists.

He noted that the Qatari Labor Law guarantees all the professional and social rights of workers, as well as the rights of employers in accordance with a contractual relationship between the two parties, stressing the strengthening and confirmation of workers’ rights, the provision of appropriate conditions for work, and means of preventing work risks and damage, and ensuring health conditions for workers.

He noted that Qatari legislation – which is in line with international conventions and treaties – emphasizes that the relationship between workers and employers is based on social justice.

The health subject will be present during the first week, while the second week will focus on subjects related to working hours and rest times, and in the third week the subject of adequate housing will be addressed, while the concluding week will focus on occupational safety.

By the end of the campaign, companies that have adhered to legal standards will be honored.

Doha, December 16

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, affirmed that the National Day is an opportunity to promote the values of loyalty and affiliation to our beloved country and to consolidate the values of loyalty, solidarity and unity that were established by the founder. It is also an opportunity to promote the values of freedom guaranteed by the Qatari constitution and the basic components of society.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency on the occasion of the country’s celebrations of the National Day, Her Excellency said that the National Day makes us restore and be proud of the values of freedom, justice, charity, and equality guaranteed by the constitution to citizens, and that it is a source of pride for all of us.

Her Excellency pointed out that Article 18 of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar stipulates that “Qatari society is based on the values of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality, and high morals” within the second chapter on the Guiding Principles of the Society. Also, Article 36 of the permanent constitution guarantees human freedom and dignity, as Article 34 stipulates that “Citizens shall be equal in terms of public rights and duties.”

Her Excellency affirmed that due to the importance of rights and freedoms, Article 146 prohibited the amendment of its provisions except to grant more rights to the citizen, where it stipulated that “Provisions pertaining to rights and public liberties may not be subject to amendment except for the purpose of granting more rights and guarantees in the interest of the citizen,” stressing that the Shura elections that took place are a qualitative leap by all standards in the field of promoting and protecting freedoms and advancing human rights in the State of Qatar, which has enhanced the participation of citizens.

Regarding the rights of workers in the State of Qatar, Chairperson of NHRC said that the progress that Qatar has achieved, despite the challenges the world is witnessing, is very satisfactory, but we aspire to do more to support and preserve workers rights, pointing out that a delegation from the European Parliament had confirmed that what Qatar had achieved in the field of workers’ rights despite the challenges the world is currently witnessing is a model to be followed in the Gulf region and the world as a whole, especially in the area of workers’ rights.

Doha, November 21

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has launched an awareness and educational campaign for students of Arab and foreign community schools.

This campaign, which will continue until Nov.25, comes within the framework of the committee’s work strategy towards promoting and spreading a culture of human rights and students’ rights in schools for students, teachers, academic staff and parents.

The campaign aims to raise awareness and educate students for the need to protect and promote human rights, and it is an extension of previous campaigns directed in schools to develop the students understanding of human rights and how to communicate with NHRC and inform them of its role and competencies.

The Director of the Financial and Administrative Affairs Department of NHRC Hamad Majed Al-Marzouqi, said in a statement that the campaign, directed at Arab and foreign school students, is a competition designed around a number of basic human rights to be contested in three categories for secondary, preparatory and primary stages: which are “scientific research, essay, and drawing”, and each category has been allocated in proportion to the target school stage.

He noted that seven schools have been identified for this campaign, which are among the schools of the Arab communities and include the “Palestinian, Tunisian, Sudanese and Jordanian” schools, in addition to the schools of foreign communities, including the “Filipino, Pakistani and Indian” schools.

He pointed out that the scientific research competition for the secondary stage was devoted to three human rights topics: “sustainable development, the right to education, and the right to environment” in order to raise the capabilities of secondary school students in writing scientific essays according to its terms and requirements.

With regard to the competition for the preparatory stage, Al-Marzouqi indicated that it will be for the best essay written on basic social, economic and cultural rights, in which the student expresses “the right to housing, identity, expression of opinion, then health and education.”

He explained that on the side of the competition directed at the primary stage, there will be a competition for the most beautiful painting to be drawn on the same topics directed at the preparatory stage. In this competition, the primary stage was divided into two parts, from the first to the third grade, from the fourth to the sixth grade, taking into account the individual differences of the child, so that he can express one of the rights mentioned in the drawing in a simplified manner.

He pointed out that a joint program will be established between the National Human Rights Committee and the schools of Arab and foreign communities, in addition to activating the role of students in launching competitions to raise awareness and promote human rights concepts for all levels of primary, preparatory and secondary schools.

Introductory brochures (paper and electronic) will be distributed on NHRC, its role and competencies, in addition to the distribution of conditions for competitions in its three categories.

The competitions will also be sent to schools to be announced during the campaign period from Nov. 20-25, and the winners of the competition will be announced in February of next year in a ceremony honoring the participating schools.

Cairo, November 21

HE Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, met today with member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) in Egypt Dr. Mahmoud Karem.

During the meeting, aspects of joint cooperation in all areas of human rights were reviewed, especially with regard to training and raising the capacities of member institutions of the Arab Network.

Doha, November 17

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and Msheireb Properties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint cooperation, to harness art in protecting and promoting human rights, combating racism and spreading a culture of social peace.

The memorandum was signed by the Secretary General of the NHRC Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, and the Director of Msheireb Museums Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdulla.

The MoU provided for cooperation and coordination between the two parties in spreading awareness and education about human rights, with a focus on modern forms of exploitation, in addition to organizing joint awareness activities, conferences, seminars and panel discussions on topics related to the common goals of the two parties, and organizing art exhibitions to spread a culture of human rights in various fields related to rights and duties, and highlighting the values of national identity in respect of the rights of individuals and societies.

After signing the memorandum, the Secretary General of the NHRC Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, stressed the common role and objectives linked between human rights and museums in preserving the cultural, social and behavioral identity of the human heritage in all its forms to promote all the positive from previous civilizations and avoid the negative ones, especially with regard to racist practices and tribal strife.

He said that the memorandum is consistent with the objectives of the National Human Rights Committee in promoting and protecting rights, preserving human dignity, promoting a culture of equality and non-discrimination, and upholding the values of tolerance and justice, in addition to spreading awareness and education on human rights.

For his part, the Director of Msheireb Museums Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdulla, said that the memorandum comes within the framework of concerted efforts to achieve the common goals of the two parties, and to work together to raise awareness about one of the most important social issues and to promote initiatives concerned with human rights.

He pointed out that in the next stage, programs will be prepared to implement the memorandum’s agenda, in the interest of the human being and the Qatari citizen.

Doha, November 16

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) concluded the training programs that were launched during the month of November, and included three training programs and two seminars.

The training program comes within the framework of a qualitative and promising strategic partnership between the National Human Rights Committee and Hamad International Airport, to promote human rights at the airport, which is the main gateway to the state, which reflects the extent to which human rights are respected and their dignity is preserved.

The NHRC confirmed that the two-day training programs for leaders and employees of Hamad International Airport were a successful experience and the beginning of strengthening this partnership between the two sides.

The committee indicated that the training courses will continue according to an annual strategy that will be agreed upon between the two parties.

The series of training programs and seminars comes within the framework of the committees mandate to hold and organize conferences, courses and discussion panels on topics related to human rights and freedoms. Such events are among the most prominent practices that would promote and protect human rights and freedoms.

The Director of the NHRC Programs and Education Department Abdullah Ali Al Mahmoud, said that the Committee’s lecture series comes within the framework of its educational role for the benefit of society members in the State of Qatar and its institutions.

Al Mahmoud noted the great interest and interaction from all attendees, stressing that this motivates the committee to make more efforts to establish a culture of human rights in societies.

He added that the training programs directed at Hamad International Airport will not stop with the end of these events, but there will be continuous cooperation, to promote a culture of human rights and improve its protection, especially since the culture of human rights includes all areas of life.

The training of Hamad International Airport employees and leaders included a full explanation of international human rights standards at airports, which airports must implement in their daily work. (QNA)

Doha, November 15

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) organized a training course for Hamad International Airport leaders on international human rights standards at airports, in the airport’s departures hall.

This training is the first of its kind and a promising partnership between the committee and the airport. It comes within the framework of the committees mandate to hold and organize conferences, seminars, courses and discussion panels on topics related to human rights and freedoms, and within the practices that would promote and protect human rights.

On this occasion, the Director of the NHRC Programs and Education Department Abdullah Ali Al Mahmoud, explained in his opening speech to the training course that this event comes within the context of the celebrations of the Qatar Human Rights Day, which coincides with the establishment of the National Human Rights Committee on Nov.,11, 2002. It is an affirmation by the state leadership of its long-established values that the human being is the centerpiece of progress, development and building civilizations.

Al Mahmoud added that Qatar consider the celebration of Qatar Human Rights Day as an important station to remind the most important principles of respect for the individual and society, and Qatar is used to not going through them unless it puts an imprint that consolidates the message for which NHRC was established, such as awareness, education and knowledge of the most important principles stipulated in international conventions of basic respect for human rights.

Al Mahmoud added that Islamic societies, should be the first to implement these principles, because Islamic Sharia was approved by 1400 years ago, as it was proven in many verses of Quran and the honorable hadiths of the Prophet.

In this context, he noted the great cooperation between NHRC and Hamad International Airport, starting with the celebration of International Human Rights Day, and the Arabic calligraphy exhibition on “Human Rights in the Islamic Culture” organized on the occasion of choosing Doha as ‘Capital of Culture in Islamic World in 2021’, as well as participating in Qatar Human Rights Day , in order to promote the culture of human rights.

He indicated that this training course comes as part of a series of seminars and training lectures organized by the NHRC in the context of its role and mission to establish a culture of human rights in the country, considering that such events would enhance human dignity in the State of Qatar, especially since Hamad International Airport is the main gate to the state and through it the general impression of all visitors is formed, which reflects the extent of Qatar’s respect for the human being and its keenness to preserve his dignity.

The training focused on international human rights standards at airports, which airports must apply in their daily work.

The standards relate to respect for human dignity, within the framework of the services provided and treatment, and inspection mechanisms, as well as non-discrimination, the right to treatment for some victims, combating human trafficking, and with regard to the protection of personal data and other definitions.

The training also dealt with the most prominent competencies of the committees, such as studying reports, issuing public comments, fact-finding missions, examining a state party’s complaint against another state party, and examining messages submitted by individuals.

It is worth mentioning that tomorrow, Tuesday, the same seminar will be presented to Hamad Airport employees at Msheireb Museums. These lectures and seminars come as part of a series of human rights awareness activities launched by the committee this month, in conjunction with the celebrations of Qatar Human Rights Day.

Doha, November 13

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) celebrated Qatar Human Rights Day, which falls on November 11 each year and coincides with the launch of a series of human rights awareness activities.

In statement, Secretary General of NHRC Sultan Hassan Al Jamali said that the celebration marking Qatar Human Rights Day is a continuation of the State of Qatar’s path towards consolidating and promoting human rights, and that it comes within the framework of a new stage of giving, and an extension of the Committee’s approach that is characterized by independence, pointing out that this year’s celebration came days after the Global Alliance renewed the approval of the committee’s (A) classification which is an indication of its independence, and confirms that the approach it is taking is one of the main reasons for its stability at the top of the classification of national institutions for 15 years.

Al Jamali said this occasion comes in light of the state’s achievement of an important democratic entitlement represented in the holding of the Shura Council elections, which is one of the most important pillars of the right of expression, saying, “We appreciate this step, which opens the door wide for many achievements in all areas of human rights.”

He stressed that the celebration of Qatar Human Rights, which coincides with the anniversary of its founding on November 11, 2002, reflects the State of Qatar’s appreciation and support for human rights principles, its work to build and promote a culture of human rights, its keenness and constant quest to improve conditions and develop their political, economic and legislative systems and bodies.

He noted the openness of the State of Qatar to developing its legislation to ensure the observance of human rights, especially of the most vulnerable groups, and labor market reforms that included Law No. (17) of 2020 regarding setting the minimum wage for workers and domestic servants, and Decree-Law No. (19) of 2020 amending some Provisions of Law No. (21) of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residence of expatriates, which was considered a major positive step to agree on human rights principles related to the right to change work, allowing employees to change their workplace freely, limiting working hours in open places during the summer period, and establishing a workers support fund and securing them to guarantee them care, and provide them with their rights, in addition to a healthy and safe work environment.

He also pointed to the importance of the recently launched unified platform for complaints and reports, which enables citizens, expatriates and establishments to report a labor violation such as a labor gathering, inappropriate labor accommodation, or explicit violations at the workplace against the entities subject to the provisions of the Qatari Labor Law and the Domestic Workers Law.

The Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee praised the state’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by making the vaccine available to everyone free of charge and without discrimination, which falls within the state’s implementation of the right to health and giving priority to the elderly who are among the most vulnerable groups, stressing that the pandemic that cast shadow over the various aspects of human activity in the world and re-emphasized the guarantee of the rights of the workers segment among the most favored groups.

The Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee praised the state’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by making the vaccine available to everyone free of charge and without discrimination, which falls within the state’s implementation of the right to health and giving priority to the elderly who are among the most vulnerable groups, stressing that the pandemic cast a shadow over the various aspects of human activity in the world and re-emphasized the guarantee of the rights of the workers segment among the most favored groups.

Al Jamali added, “Human rights are inherent rights in Qatari society and part of the human values established by the tolerant Islamic Sharia and Qatari legislations, especially the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar.” He also pointed out that in the context of spreading awareness and education on human rights and freedoms and consolidating their principles at the levels of thought and practice, the committee will hold a series of activities during the month of November on the occasion of Qatar Human Rights Day, starting with a seminar at Qatar University Health Center for employees and patients as well as training for Msheireb Real Estate Foundation’s employees.

The seminars and training courses will continue over the next two weeks to include seminars and training lectures for the leaders and employees of Hamad International Airport in two separate courses, in addition to the schools campaign that will start on November 21 and continue until November 25.

Doha, November 07

The Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) renewed its A status accreditation of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) for the third time in a row, over a period of 15 years.

Under the renewal of the accreditation, the National Human Rights Committee continues to maintain the highest status classification that can be granted to it from 2010 until 2025, after which it will be subjected to re-accreditation.

Commenting on the occasion, HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah underlined that renewing the ‘A status’ accreditation of the NHRC for the third time in a row is a clear indication that the Committee is on the right path in the field of protecting and promoting human rights; noting that the independence of the NHRC is a main reason for maintaining its classification at the top of national human rights institutions.

Since its inception, the National Human Rights Committee has been moving steadily towards achieving transparency and independence, which is one of the most important conditions for obtaining the ‘A’ accreditation, HE the NHRC Chairperson added.

HE noted that this accreditation was reached thanks to the real desire and will, and the States respond to the recommendations of the National Human Rights Committee in order to advance everything that would preserve human dignity in all aspects of life; referring to cooperation and partnership by the relevant institutions in the State of Qatar and their understanding of the nature of the NHRC and its competencies in spreading and establishing a culture of human rights, and its important advisory role in this field.

HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized that the NHRC complied with all the conditions for the ‘A status” accreditation in terms of its establishment, as the establishment law expressly stipulates that the NHRC is an independent national institution that is not affiliated with any of the three authorities (legislative – judicial – executive), and that the Committee has a mandate with clearly defined tasks in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Doha, October 27

The members of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), in a meeting Wednesday, elected HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah as Chairman of the NHRC.

HE newly-elected Chairman of the NHRC, Maryam Al Attiyah stressed to work for the continuity of this great legacy and following an approach that ensures the stability of the NHRC at the top among its counterparts in the world and aspiration to achieve more human rights achievements.

She pointed out that chairing the NHRC is a great trust that requires cooperation between all state institutions to ensure the advancement of human dignity in Qatar.

Al Attiyah said that she will make the greatest effort and harness the utmost energies to assume this national and humanitarian responsibility.