The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar expresses its satisfaction with the precautionary measures taken by the State of Qatar to contain the spread of Coronavirus, and stresses the importance of concerted efforts of the Government and all segments of society to accord priority to the right to health for all and ensure respect for human rights without discrimination.

The National Human Rights Committee has followed with interest the extensive precautionary measures being taken by the Government to promote prevention and protect society from possible implication, since the first cases were registered until now. The NHRC stresses the importance of awareness campaigns by the ministries of health and the interior, and other concerned parties to sensitize the population about the importance of staying home more often and avoiding public gatherings, beside other measures aiming at providing adequate means to contain the spread of this epidemic.

The NHRC urges the competent authorities to move forward with its measures within the framework of supporting response to the coronavirus outbreak in conformity with human rights standards and in a manner commensurate with public health risks.

The NHRC notes that the measures and restrictions taken are exceptional measures justified as reasonable, necessary and proportionate in the light of the present circumstances, while stressing the importance of ensuring access to food, water and basic needs and providing health care and services for all without discrimination, including measures to enhance protection of the most vulnerable groups in this exceptional circumstance, especially for people with chronic health conditions, the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as expatriate workers.

In turn, the NHRC will intensify its work in coordination with the competent bodies, to carry out field visits to designated quarantine spots, places of detention, and workers’ accommodation, to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.

At the same time, the NHRC commends community awareness and the wide response of citizens and residents to the precautionary measures and calls for strengthening a spirit of solidarity between civil society institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders, and those involved in awareness-raising activities and preventive efforts.

In conclusion, the NHRC cannot fail to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the medical staff, as well as to the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and all relevant government officials and civil service employees for their efforts to confront the Coronavirus.

13 Shaaban 1441
6 April 2020
Doha, Qatar

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We are ready to hand the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council a complete file on documented violations of human rights of gulf peoples

The blockade will remain a black point in the history of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Immediate Ending the suffering of the victims is a top priority regardless of efforts and initiatives to solve the crisis politically

A widespread failure and total inability of the Arab and Gulf mechanisms for human rights to redress the victims and provide redress for them

The Cooperation Council is required to review its human rights system, which has failed to stop violations of the rights of peoples

Members of the House of Representatives called on Pompeo to take immediate measures to force the blockading states to stop their punitive measures

Representatives are able to urge the American administration to take measures to stop the 1000-day blockade

The blockading states try to cover up their failure by punishing civilians who are not guilty of a political dispute between governments

Washington on Saturday, February 29, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, called on the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council to assume its responsibilities in dealing with the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade of Qatar 1000 days, stressing “the National Committee’s readiness to hand over the new Secretary-General a complete file on the consequences of the siege, And the human suffering it causes 1000 days ago, we hope that it will be ended immediately, as a top priority, regardless of the efforts and initiatives to solve the crisis politically.

In a statement on the sidelines of his visit to the American capital, Washington, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri said: “We hope that H.E. Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf. Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, can play an effective role to solve the crisis in its humanitarian aspect in the first place, According his duties and the internal system of the Cooperation Council, and to rectify the failure and total inability of the Gulf and Arab mechanisms for human rights to redress the victims and provide reparations for them since the beginning of the blockade imposed on Qatar since June 2017. ” Al Marri added: “We at the National Human Rights Committee are ready to cooperate with the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council and deliver a complete file on the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis, including documented violations of the rights of citizens and residents in the State of Qatar and the Gulf states as a whole.” Al Marri stressed that “the blockade will remain a black point in the history of the Gulf Cooperation Council, not only because of its profound humanitarian impact on Gulf society; but also because the Gulf citizens were shocked by the inability of their official institutions to resolve the crisis. Unfortunately, He concluded, “Regardless of the outcomes of the negotiations and the political course of the crisis, the Gulf Cooperation Council should review its human rights system that has failed to address the grave and serious violations of the rights of the peoples of the region.”

Congressional representatives condemn the punishment of civilians on the pretext of a political dispute

On the other hand, Dr. Al-Marri affirmed that members of the U.S. House of Representatives addressed Mr. Michael Richard Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, to urge him to move and take effective and immediate measures to stop the blockade imposed on Qatar and put an end to the grave violations affecting citizens and residents of Qatar, pointing out that the deputies In Congress expressed their indignation and rejection of the continuation of punitive measures that affect civilians in the State of Qatar and depriving them of their political rights, under the pretext of a political dispute! Within his series of official meetings in Washington, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri met with a number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Congressman Timothy Floyd Burchett, the oldest member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Congressman Billy Long, Co-Chair of the US-Qatar Strategic Relations assembly, Congressman Raja Krishenmorte, member of US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Congressman Jim Langevin, member of the US House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Rick Larsen, member of the US House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Eric Swalwell former presidential candidate and member of the US House Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernisation and Readiness; Congressman Adam Smith, Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee.

Dr. Al Marri also met with Congressman Alan Lowenthal, executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. He thanked him for the commission’s positions, calling on the Commission to take more moves and educating the American community about the implications of the blockade imposed on Qatar.

During his meetings with the members of the US House of Representatives, Dr. Al-Marri presented an overview of the repercussions of the blockade, warning of the grave consequences resulting from the continued human suffering of thousands of citizens and residents, not only in Qatar but in all the GCC countries. Responding to questions from members of the US House of Representatives about the moves taken by NHRC, Dr. Al Marri provided an overview of the efforts being made at the judicial and legal levels, pointing out that the NHRC is committed to its promises to the victims not to renounce the prosecution and condemnation of the blockading states until the victims are compensated and provided redress. Al Marri added the people of Qatar have lived through 1,000 days of violations against the Gulf people, intransigence in harming the citizens and residents, and reprisals and collective punishments that the blockading countries failed to find a justification. Al Marri added that it’s hard to assess the extent and nature of damage and suffering of the people of the region as a result of decisions of the blockading countries to cover up their failure by punishing civilians who have nothing to do with political disputes between governments. On the expected role of the House of Representatives of the US Congress to stop the suffering of those affected by the blockade, Dr. Al-Marri said that the representatives of parliaments in the world have a great responsibility to defend people who are subject to serious violations of their rights. Al Marri explained that he visited the US repeatedly and called for making more efforts to urge the US administration to take effective measures and pressure the blockading countries to stop their violations that have lasted for 1,000 days. Al Marri concluded by saying that NHRC looks forward to a greater role for the world’s parliaments to put an end to human rights violations, , affirming our full confidence that the legal measures taken before international bodies will inevitably lead to international condemnation and compensation to the victims.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and International Court of Justice will inevitably condemn Riyadh and Abu Dhabi

The Gulf society is shocked by the racist practices of Saudi Arabia and UAE

Cases before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Court of Justice will demonstrate the discrimination faced by Qataris

The Gulf peoples have been the victims of reprisals since the beginning of the blockade

Legal procedures before international bodies will inevitably lead to international condemnation and compensation to victims

The National Human rights Committee will not allow the loss of the rights of the victims, regardless of the political fate of the crisis

We look for international equity that amounts to suffering

“Human Rights” is committed to its promises to the victims and will not back down from the prosecution and condemnation of the blockading states

The blockade of Qatar affected the human rights situation in the region

The blockade has led to a loss of confidence in regional human rights and conflict resolution mechanisms

Washington Day: Wednesday, February 25, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has affirmed the committee’s commitment to continue to take the necessary legal measures necessary to condemn the blockading countries because of their violations that have lasted for 1,000 days, stressing that the blockading countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will not be spared of international condemnation by the committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the two bodies will demonstrate the exposure of Qatari citizens to racial discrimination. Al-Marri stressed that after three years of unjust blockade, the NHRC will not rest until the victims are compensated, regardless of the fate of the crisis politically. This came during Al Marri’s visit to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with officials at the US State Department that included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and International Labour Affairs of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour in the State Department and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Gulf Affairs at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the State Department Timothy Lenderking.

During his meetings with US State Department officials, Al Marri affirmed that citizens and residents in Qatar have faced racial discrimination, noting that one of the most dangerous aspects of the suffering incurred by Gulf citizens is the obstacles imposed by the blockading states – especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE – on the freedom of movement of people, which did not exclude sick people, children and the elderly, pointing out that undermining the freedom of movement resulted in dispersion of Gulf families, and forcible separation of many families, on the pretext that one of its members holds the Qatari nationality, as well as a violation of the right of Qataris and residents to practice religious rites, causing denial of Haj and Umrah for three consecutive seasons.

Dr. Al-Marri said in Qatar the people are facing an unjust blockade. It is not an exaggeration to say it is among the worst forms of the blockade that targets people, and has deprived thousands of citizens and residents in the Gulf states of their basic rights, foremost of which is the right to health, movement, education, and family reunification, and other fundamental rights that the blockade states continue to violate, disregarding the calls of states, governments, and international human rights organizations, the most recent of which is ICJ’s decision demanding the United Arab Emirates to stop its discriminatory measures against citizens and residents in Qatar, but the Abu Dhabi authorities continue to violate their obligations to the ICJ. He added that the blockade of Qatar affected the human rights situation in the region, and led to a loss of confidence in regional human rights mechanisms and conflict resolution.

Dr. Al-Marri presented an overview of the progress of the cases before the CERD against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and the cases brought before the ICJ against Abu Dhabi, stressing that all cases brought before the CERD and the ICJ will demonstrate to the world that what has been practiced against Qataris is racial discrimination. He pointed out that the Gulf community is shocked by these racist practices committed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia against citizens and residents of Qatar. He addressed the officials of the US State Department by saying that every year, the US State Department issues a report that records human rights violations in the world, and NHRC demands that the violations of human rights by blockade countries be included in the next report of the US State Department.

Dr. Al-Marri added that these violations have been confirmed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Parliament and many parliaments and human rights organizations in the United States and the world, stressing that it’s necessary to include the violations by the blockade countries in the report of the US State Department on the human rights situation in the world. He explained that condemning human rights violations should not exclude any region in the world, let alone the Middle East and Gulf region saturated with conflicts and disputes and the consequent grave human rights violations that threaten the security and stability of the region, and therefore, the security and stability of the world as a whole. In a related context, Dr. Al-Marri affirmed that the committee urges the Qatari government to continue the reforms it is undertaking to protect and defend the rights of citizens and residents of Qatar alike. During a reception organized in his honor by the US-Qatar Business Council, the NHRC chairman said that protecting the rights of citizens and residents in Qatar is an essential pillar in the work of the NHRC, which has not stopped demanding the Qatari government for further reforms.

On the recent reforms made by the Qatari government to protect the rights of expatriates, he said the International Labor Organization has welcomed the reforms adopted by Qatar for the benefit of expatriate workers. Many human rights organizations have also encouraged the Qatari government to proceed with the reforms approach. He added that the NHRC, on its part, welcomed the reforms and new legislation, and it continues to urge the government through its various reports and recommendations to continue the approach of reforms without stopping. Regarding the rights of workers employed in facilities related to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Dr. Al-Marri said that they have certainly seen the reports of many human rights organizations that value the measures taken by the Qatari authorities to provide a safe working environment for these workers. The NHRC has always called for improving conditions of residence and the work of these workers, because it is firmly convinced that the rights of workers and the reforms that preserve their dignity must be permanent and lasting even after the World Cup ends. After the blockade, the NHRC faced other challenges in its work for Qataris and residents. Al Marri referred to the recent visit by a delegation from the European Parliament and a delegation from the European Union headed by EU special representative for human rights Eamon Gilmore to a number of the World Cup facilities, and his meetings with workers and officials from various stakeholders in the State of Qatar, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, the National Human Rights Committee and the International Labor Organization, where Eamon Gilmore expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Qatar to introduce new improvements and legislation to end the sponsorship law to serve the rights of expatriate workers, praising the progress and improvement in the conditions of work and workers in Qatar, pointing out that the NHRC co-ordinates with the European Union, the European Parliament, the United Nations and international organizations on all levels that related to human rights in the State of Qatar, and there is an ongoing discussion between the NHRC and the Qatari government and international bodies. Al Marri also indicated that the NHRC has always welcomed all visits to Doha requested by international organizations.

The State of Qatar is one of the few countries that extended an open invitation to the United Nations Special Rapporteurs to visit Qatar. It has repeatedly welcomed all international organizations to visit Doha to learn about the human rights conditions in it, including meeting representatives of the blockade victims and listening to their testimonies about the suffering they have been subjected to for almost three years.

Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Marri presented during his discussions with the attendees an overview of the repercussions of the blockade that has been going on for 1,000 days, warning of the repercussions resulting from the continued human suffering of thousands of citizens and residents, not only in Qatar, but in all the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council. He highlighted the need to raise awareness among all societies about the seriousness of the punitive measures taken by the blockading countries, stressing that there is no selectivity in the field of human rights and no calculations, and that violations are stateless, and that the issue of victims is the responsibility of the international community without discrimination. Responding to the inquiries of members of the US-Qatar Business Council regarding the new challenges facing the NHRC as a result of the blockade of Qatar, Dr. Al-Marri said: “The blockade imposed on us new challenges, and the National Human Rights Committee has received multiple complaints from citizens and residents affected by the grave violations imposed by the blockading countries”, but this did not and will not force it to forget the basic role of the NHRC in defending human rights as a whole, including protecting the rights of Qatari citizens and residents, and the rights of expatriate workers in Qatar.

February 19, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the Committee’s headquarters with a delegation from the British Parliament headed by Mr. Alastair Carmichael. The meeting dealt with aspects of cooperation in human rights issues and ways to promote and protect human rights.

Doha: February 18, 2020 AD

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the Committee’s headquarters with Ms. Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate. Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). The two sides discussed ways to protect human rights and combat extremism and violence, as well as cooperation in various human rights issues. It is noteworthy that Ms. Coninsx is currently the head of the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the European Union and is also the Chair of Eurojust’s Counter Terrorism Team and of the Task Force on the Future of Eurojust.

Dr. Al Kuwari: physical activity and sport is a fundamental right for all

The State of Qatar holds a unique among the countries of the world, with the idea of ​​setting aside a day for the state to practice sport

Many children around the world are denied access to facilities that motivate them to exercise

Qatar has repeatedly confirmed its commitment to respect human rights standards and laws during major sporting events, especially the World Cup 2022

Al Jamali: Qatar has become a global destination for athletes from different countries

Doha on February 11, 2020

The National Human Rights Committee launched the activities of the National Human Rights Committee on the occasion of the state’s sporting day for the ninth season in a row. the National Human Rights Committee organized various activities, including hiking, volleyball, soccer, and basketball as well as yoga class on health-promoting behaviors.

Dr. Muhammad bin Saif Al-Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Assistant Secretary-General, and a number of directors of departments, officials, cadres and employees of the National Human Rights Committee, attended with their families in a family atmosphere that reflects the National Human Rights Committee’s commitment to social cohesion among employees. In a statement by Dr. Muhammad bin Saif said: “We in the National Human Rights Committee are keen to participate in the sports day of the state, and we attach great importance to this occasion because physical activity and sport is a fundamental right for all. Unfortunately, many people in the world, especially children, are still deprived of facilities that motivate them to exercise. He added: “The State of Qatar holds a unique among the countries of the world, with the idea of ​​setting aside a day for the state to practice sport, in which all groups and segments of society participate, regardless of their positions, including the highest leadership of the state, represented in the presence of His Highness the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the country. Al Kuwari noted that “the commitment to celebrate this occasion every year confirms the interest of the state leadership in sports in all its forms, and reflects an advanced and humanitarian concept, and a pioneering step to build a society with productive arms. Also, interest in sports makes Qatar the ranks of the developed countries that are concerned with health of individuals and the development of sports culture, and establishing this concept among the younger generations to educate them to practice sports at all ages.

Al Kuwari added: “The country’s sports day reflects the leadership’s vision in encouraging sports, given its importance in the life of the individual and society as a pillar of investment in the human element, in the context of the continuous development that the state aims to, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 2030. He added: “The National Commission for Human Rights is always keen on recommending to the Qatari government the need to pay more attention to the practice of sport and its empowerment among the various groups of society.” Pointing out that “the State of Qatar has repeatedly emphasized its keenness to pay fundamental attention to the need to respect the standards and laws of human rights in the organization of major sporting events, including the 2022 World Cup.

For his part, Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, assistant secretary general affirmed that the sports day has human, social and cultural values, pointing out that Qatar, with huge investment and special focus on the overall development of the country, has become an ideal source of inspiration for others in various fields, including sports. The country, as a result of its wise leadership, has also become a global destination for athletes from different countries. Qatar National Vision 2030, which is being achieved, gave sport a great boost considering the positive impact it has on individuals and society. It symbolizes human cooperation and interaction, in the local community, among citizens and residents, and at the international level, between different peoples. Under the leadership of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, our country has now become an example in various fields, including sports. Qatar has become a global destination for athletes from different countries. Our country is now regularly hosting world championships and other events in some of the most important sports disciplines.

Al-Mahmoud: The national Sports Day enhances the human value

Doha: February 10, 2020

Officials and employees of the National Human Rights committee conducted a training session at the gym at the committee’s headquarters, in preparation for participating in the activities of the State’s Sports Day in its ninth edition.

Mr. Abdullah Ali Al Mahmoud, Head of the Public Relations Unit, explained that, the activities of the National Human Rights Committee for the Sports Day will be launched in the (Spire Zone) parks in the presence of the committee’s senior officials, members and employees in an atmosphere that promotes community sports. In a press statement, Al-Mahmoud said: the National Human Rights Committee has been keen over the nine years to participate in this sporting event, considering that the athlete is a basic human right in parallel with the right to health and the right to life, pointing out that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1950 put physical and sports education at the top of the agenda of the cooperation and development program, and Mahmoud said: In 1978 two of the mechanisms of international cooperation were created, namely the International Charter on Physical Education, Physical activity and Sport and Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS). He added: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes in its International Charter for Physical Education, Physical activity and Sport that the use of physical education and sports is a fundamental right for all. The Head of the Public Relations and Information Unit emphasized that the state’s interest in this day enhances the value of the human being and establishes human development. Al-Mahmoud extended an invitation to all citizens and residents to participate in the activities of the National Human Rights Committee on the Sports Day.

– The international conference on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists” shall discuss more than 40 working papers over two days, with the participation of 300 international organizations, think tanks and journalists’ unions from different countries of the world

– The international conference shall include 5 interactive plenary debates and 4 parallel working groups over two days, in the presence of European Union special representative, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, as well as deputies and committees from the European Parliament, and a number of UN special rapporteurs

– The conference shall witness wide participation from Gulf, African and European countries, USA, Russia, and Latin America

– 100 national and international media outlets shall cover the international conference

Doha: Saturday, February 5, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, noted that more than 300 international organizations, universities, research centers, think-tanks, journalists’ unions and social networks, confirmed their attendance at the international conference on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists”, organized during the period from 16 – 17 February 2020, at the “Ritz-Carlton, Doha”, pointing out that the international conference shall discuss more than 40 working papers, in the presence and participation of prominent personalities. Various topics will be discussed through 5 interactive plenary debates and 4 parallel working groups over two days.

In a press statement, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri said that the international conference is in its final steps of preparation, praising the cooperation and coordination between the organizers including the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , the European Parliament, the International Federation of Journalists and the global alliance of national human rights institutions.

Dr. Al Marri explained, “We have witnessed great international response from international human rights organizations, as well as networks and specialized international agencies, where more than 300 international organizations, universities, research centers, think-tanks, and major social networks will participate in the conference, in the presence of journalists from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Latin American countries, United States of America, Costa Rica, Brazil, as well as Colombia, and African and Asian countries, including Committee to Protect Journalists of Costa Rica, and journalists’ union in Brazil and Colombia.

Dr. Al Marri added the conference will witness wide participation of prominent personalities from the European Union countries, some of which will present working papers, including the EU High Representative, and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, in the presence of deputies and committees from the European Parliament, and a number of UN special rapporteurs including the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to Privacy, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minorities issues, and the United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order; along with the participation of personalities and representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the United Nations agencies, international organizations, and social networks.

Participation from the five continents

Al Marri states that “We have given great attention to Gulf, Arab and African participation, including Gulf organizations from Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman, along with Arab organizations from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, and Jordan; as well as African organizations From Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Comoros, Cameroon, Uganda, and other countries. Besides the participation from countries from Eastern Europe, as well as Russia”.

100 media outlets to cover the conference activities

Al-Marri noted, “We also witnessed remarkable turnout by journalists and the international media to attend the conference and cover its activities, along with a number of think-tanks. Until this moment, we have received confirmation of the attendance of about 100 local and international media outlets to cover the activities of the international conference.”

According to the initial programme, the conference will witness an opening plenary entitled “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Human Rights Defenders and Professional Contents Creators”, that shall be opened by Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar and Vice-President and Secretary-General The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Georgette Gagnon, Director of the Director Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, OHCHR, Mr. Eimon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Yunus Mujahid, President of the International Federation of Journalists, and Mr. Carlos Negret Mosquera, President of the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions.

6 interactive discussion sessions

The conference will also witness 6 interactive plenary debates over two days, the first of which is entitled “Creating an enabling environment for online civic space: Legal and institutional perspectives”, and shall be chaired by Mohammad Ali Alnsour, Chief Middle East and North Africa Section, OHCHR, and will be addressed by: Joe Cannataci Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, UN, Gilles de Kerchove, EU Counter – Terrorism Coordinator, EU, Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament, Olena Cherniavska, Senior Advisor, OSCE office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Peter Freitag, Chairman of the Digital Expert Group, European Federation of Journalists.

Ms. Eva Kaili, Chair of the Science and Technology Options Assessment Panel, European Parliament, will chair the second interactive plenary debate entitled “Responses by social media companies to protect civic space”. The session will be addressed by Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner for Migration, and Mr. Peter Micek, General Counsel, Access Now.

The conference will witness over two days parallel working groups. Working group A entitled “Legislative frameworks regulating freedom of expression and social media” shall be moderated by Ms. Dima Jweihan, International Centre for Not-for Profit Law and Ms. Ines Osman, MENA Rights Group, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Tim Dawson, Chair of IFJ working group on surveillance, Simon Adam, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Nasser Abu Bakar, President of Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, Aymen Zaghdou, Legal Adviser, Mena Article 19, and Nidal Mansour, Executive President of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists.

Working group B entitled ” Human rights implications of blocking access to communications and social media”, shall be chaired by Branislav Marelic, National Institute for Human Rights Of Chile, and Yasmine Abou Mansour, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Gustavo Gomez, Executive Director, OBSERVACOM, Uruguay, Christy Hoffman, President of UNI-Global, Adam Shapiro, Head of Visibility and communications, Frontline Defenders, and Stephanie Chaban, Regional Advisor on gender equality and women’s empowerment, ESCWA Centre for Women.

On the second day of the conference, working group C entitled “Regulating Big Tech – Transparency and accountability in content moderation”, will be chaired by Ms. Nazila Ghanea, Professor, University of Oxford, UK, and Iris de Villars, Head of Tech Desk, Reporters Without Borders, RSF, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Fernand de Varennes, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue, Anne- Cécile Robert, Le Monde Diplomatique, Jerald Joseph Jerald S JOSEPH, Commissioner of National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Jillian York, Director for International Freedom of Expression -Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Matilda Sisato, Senior Political Advisor- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, EU.

Working group D entitled “Can established news platforms survive social media?”, shall be Chaired by Dominique Pradalié, Secretary General of the National Journalists Union (SNJ), France, and Jeremy Dear, Deputy General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Larry Goldbetter, President, National Writers’, Union, USA, Elena Perotti, WAN-IFRA, Paul Murphy, CEO, Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), Australia, and Zuliana Lainez, Senior Vice-President IFJ, and General Secretary of National Association of Journalists of Peru.

The fifth Interactive plenary debate entitled “Identification of future activities to broaden civic space in the social media” shall be chaired by Livingstone Sewanyana, UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, the session shall be addressed by Lena Slachmuijlder, Senior Vice President, Programs Search for Common Ground, Nighat Dad, Executive Director of Digital Rights Foundation, and Martin O’Hanlon, President, Communications Workers of America, CWA-SCA.

Al-Marri in a closing session

The international conference is expected to come out with a number of recommendations and proposals. The closing session shall be chaired by Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.

Doha: February 9, 2020 AD

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Committee for Human Rights, met in his office at the Committee’s headquarters with Mr. Hirkan Polarhar National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings. The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation on issues of common concern and the exchange of experiences and expertise in the legal fields.

– The international conference on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists” shall discuss more than 40 working papers over two days, with the participation of 300 international organizations, think tanks and journalists’ unions from different countries of the world

– The international conference shall include 5 interactive plenary debates and 4 parallel working groups over two days, in the presence of European Union special representative, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, as well as deputies and committees from the European Parliament, and a number of UN special rapporteurs

– the conference shall witness wide participation from Gulf, African and European countries, USA, Russia, and Latin America

– 100 national and international media outlets shall cover the international conference

Doha: Saturday, February 5, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, noted that more than 300 international organizations, universities, research centers, think-tanks, journalists’ unions and social networks, confirmed their attendance at the international conference on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists”, organized during the period from 16 – 17 February 2020, at the “Ritz-Carlton, Doha”, pointing out that the international conference shall discuss more than 40 working papers, in the presence and participation of prominent personalities. Various topics will be discussed through 5 interactive plenary debates and 4 parallel working groups over two days.

In a press statement, Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri said that the international conference is in its final steps of preparation, praising the cooperation and coordination between the organizers including the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , the European Parliament, the International Federation of Journalists and the global alliance of national human rights institutions.

Dr. Al Marri explained, “We have witnessed great international response from international human rights organizations, as well as networks and specialized international agencies, where more than 300 international organizations, universities, research centers, think-tanks, and major social networks will participate in the conference, in the presence of journalists from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Latin American countries, United States of America, Costa Rica, Brazil, as well as Colombia, and African and Asian countries, including Committee to Protect Journalists of Costa Rica, and journalists’ union in Brazil and Colombia.

Dr. Al Marri added the conference will witness wide participation of prominent personalities from the European Union countries, some of which will present working papers, including the EU High Representative, and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, in the presence of deputies and committees from the European Parliament, and a number of UN special rapporteurs including the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to Privacy, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minorities issues, and the United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order; along with the participation of personalities and representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the United Nations agencies, international organizations, and social networks.

Participation from the five continents

Al Marri states that “We have given great attention to Gulf, Arab and African participation, including Gulf organizations from Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman, along with Arab organizations from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, and Jordan; as well as African organizations From Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Comoros, Cameroon, Uganda, and other countries. Besides the participation from countries from Eastern Europe, as well as Russia”.

100 media outlets to cover the conference activities

Al-Marri noted, “We also witnessed remarkable turnout by journalists and the international media to attend the conference and cover its activities, along with a number of think-tanks. Until this moment, we have received confirmation of the attendance of about 100 local and international media outlets to cover the activities of the international conference.”

According to the initial programme, the conference will witness an opening plenary entitled “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Human Rights Defenders and Professional Contents Creators”, that shall be opened by Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar and Vice-President and Secretary-General The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Georgette Gagnon, Director of the Director Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, OHCHR, Mr. Eimon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Yunus Mujahid, President of the International Federation of Journalists, and Mr. Carlos Negret Mosquera, President of the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions.

6 interactive discussion sessions

The conference will also witness 6 interactive plenary debates over two days, the first of which is entitled “Creating an enabling environment for online civic space: Legal and institutional perspectives”, and shall be chaired by Mohammad Ali Alnsour, Chief Middle East and North Africa Section, OHCHR, and will be addressed by: Joe Cannataci Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, UN, Gilles de Kerchove, EU Counter – Terrorism Coordinator, EU, Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament, Olena Cherniavska, Senior Advisor, OSCE office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Peter Freitag, Chairman of the Digital Expert Group, European Federation of Journalists.

Ms. Eva Kaili, Chair of the Science and Technology Options Assessment Panel, European Parliament, will chair the second interactive plenary debate entitled “Responses by social media companies to protect civic space”. The session will be addressed by Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner for Migration, and Mr. Peter Micek, General Counsel, Access Now.

The conference will witness over two days parallel working groups. Working group A entitled “Legislative frameworks regulating freedom of expression and social media” shall be moderated by Ms. Dima Jweihan, International Centre for Not-for Profit Law and Ms. Ines Osman, MENA Rights Group, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Tim Dawson, Chair of IFJ working group on surveillance, Simon Adam, Executive Director, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Nasser Abu Bakar, President of Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, Aymen Zaghdou, Legal Adviser, Mena Article 19, and Nidal Mansour, Executive President of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists.

Working group B entitled ” Human rights implications of blocking access to communications and social media”, shall be chaired by Branislav Marelic, National Institute for Human Rights Of Chile, and Yasmine Abou Mansour, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Gustavo Gomez, Executive Director, OBSERVACOM, Uruguay, Christy Hoffman, President of UNI-Global, Adam Shapiro, Head of Visibility and communications, Frontline Defenders, and Stephanie Chaban, Regional Advisor on gender equality and women’s empowerment, ESCWA Centre for Women.

On the second day of the conference, working group C entitled “Regulating Big Tech – Transparency and accountability in content moderation”, will be chaired by Ms. Nazila Ghanea, Professor, University of Oxford, UK, and Iris de Villars, Head of Tech Desk, Reporters Without Borders, RSF, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Fernand de Varennes, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issue, Anne- Cécile Robert, Le Monde Diplomatique, Jerald Joseph Jerald S JOSEPH, Commissioner of National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, Jillian York, Director for International Freedom of Expression -Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Matilda Sisato, Senior Political Advisor- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, EU.

Working group D entitled “Can established news platforms survive social media?”, shall be Chaired by Dominique Pradalié, Secretary General of the National Journalists Union (SNJ), France, and Jeremy Dear, Deputy General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists, as Rapporteur. The working group shall be addressed by Larry Goldbetter, President, National Writers’, Union, USA, Elena Perotti, WAN-IFRA, Paul Murphy, CEO, Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), Australia, and Zuliana Lainez, Senior Vice-President IFJ, and General Secretary of National Association of Journalists of Peru.

The fifth Interactive plenary debate entitled “Identification of future activities to broaden civic space in the social media” shall be chaired by Livingstone Sewanyana, UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, the session shall be addressed by Lena Slachmuijlder, Senior Vice President, Programs Search for Common Ground, Nighat Dad, Executive Director of Digital Rights Foundation, and Martin O’Hanlon, President, Communications Workers of America, CWA-SCA.

Al-Marri in a closing session

The international conference is expected to come out with a number of recommendations and proposals. The closing session shall be chaired by Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.