Doha: Monday, 17 December 2018

The National Human Rights Committee in Darb Al Saai participated with a variety of activities, attracting a wide range of children and different age groups. Ms. Maryam Bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Committee, said that participation in the activities of Dar Al Saai comes within the belief of the NHRC in spreading the culture of citizenship among the various segments of society. The activities of Darb Al Sai have proved to be successful in attracting the various segments of Qatari society including citizens and residents of different age groups who are waiting for this occasion to affirm their loyalty to our homeland.

Over the past few days, the National Human Rights Committee has participated in the Doha Events tent through various activities for all ages, targeting young children and even young people who have shown interest to participate in the activities of the NHRC in the events of Darb Al Saai. The booth of the NHRC witnessed various activities, combining entertainment and education, through a series of games based on the installation of pictures and cards that promote the children’s knowledge of various human rights, general information about the State of Qatar, and the rights guaranteed by the national laws of the child. Participants were given prizes aimed at making children and other age groups acquire a culture of rights and duties in a fun and interesting way.

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met with Australian Ambassador to the state, Dr. Axel Wabenhorst. The meeting discussed means of cooperation in issues of mutual interest and activating the mechanisms of transferring experience and expertise between the two sides.

Dr. Ali Al-Marri met with Ms. Michèle Alliot-Marie, chair of Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP) of the European Parliament. The two sides discussed means of cooperation in issues of common interest and work in the framework of promoting and protecting human rights.

London: December 14, 2018

Dr. Ali bin Samih Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee held in London held two separate meetings, the first of which was with Mr. Kumi Naidu, Secretary General of Amnesty International; during which Dr. Al Marri congratulated Mr. Naidu for receiving the trust of the Board of Directors of Amnesty and appointing him as Secretary-General to succeed Mr. Salil Shetty. The meeting discussed means of cooperation and strengthening of joint working relations between the two sides. Dr. Ali bin Smeikh in his second meeting met with senior researchers at the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The meeting reviewed the legislative reforms carried out by the Qatari government, especially on the rights of workers. Al-Marri also briefed the researchers in Chatham House on the repercussions of the Gulf crisis and the effects of the blockade on citizens and residents in Qatar and citizens of the GCC countries.

The Qatar National Human Rights Committee welcomes the decision of the European Parliament issued on December 13, 2018, condemning the continued violations and discriminatory measures imposed by the countries of the blockade against Qatari citizens, demanding the release of the Qatari citizen Ola Al Qaradawi and her husband and calling to stop all discriminatory measures against the citizens of Qatar.

The NHRC also welcomes the decision of the International Police Organization (Interpol) to cancel the red notices issued against the Qatari citizen Dr. Yousef Al-Qaradawi, and to delete the data relating to his case because it has a political dimension and violates international human rights standards.

 On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the European Parliament issued a draft resolution criticizing the continued violations of human rights resulting from the continued blockade imposed on the state of Qatar and the relating discriminatory measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates against the State of Qatar since June 2017.

Having regard to the impact on human rights, both at domestic and regional level, of the sanctions put in place by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE against Qatar in June 2017, whereas Ms. Ola Al Qaradawi, a Qatari national and her husband Hosam Khalaf, an Egyptian national, have been detained in appalling conditions in Egypt since 30 June 2017, with no charges formulated against either of them, whereas in June 2018 the UN working group on arbitrary detention  found that they have been subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment that amount to torture, declared their detention arbitrary and called on the Egyptian government to release them, the INTERPOL urged the Egyptian government to stop all discriminatory measures put in place after June 2017 against Qatari nationals, in particular Ola Al Qaradawi and Hosamm Khalaf.

Accordingly, the NHRC reiterates its full support for the decision of the European Parliament and renews its rejection of all discriminatory measures taken by the countries of the blockade that have affected Qatari citizens, including the 3 Qatari citizens who had forcibly disappeared in Saudi Arabia. The NHRC also calls on the European Parliament to issue a similar resolution calling on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to release the three Qataris who have been forcibly disappeared, to end all arbitrary measures taken against all Qataris and to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The NHRC affirms that it is in constant contact with the United Nations working group on Enforced or involuntary Disappearances and that it shall continue its movements with various international legal and judicial bodies to hold Saudi Arabia accountable and to define its international responsibilities.

The NHRC regrets that the serious violations caused by the blockade imposed on the State of Qatar and its repercussions on all citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have not been raised during the last GCC summit in Riyadh.

6 Rabi ‘Al Thani 1440 AH
13 December 2018
Doha, Qatar

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The exhibition of Islam and human rights reflects our Islamic civilization away from the long-lasting distortion and blurring of its bright aspects.

All cultures faced practices of intolerance

The universal nature of rights and freedoms is beyond question

Secretary General of the Greek Arab Chamber of Commerce: The exhibition reflects the Islamic civilization’s respect for humanity

Croatian Ambassador to Athens: We did not expect such words to come out in such contemporary form and expression

Kutharis: Qatar seeks to promote and respect the culture of human rights

Athens: 12 December 2018

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, expressed his rejection of all the practices of intolerance from which every culture and creed has suffered or continues to suffer, pointing out all civilizations have went through this point and history has been a witness to that. We also strongly denounce racism and extremism; we also strongly denounce racism and extremism. Al Marri added: God Almighty is not involved with the suffering, tragedies, wars and killings in his name and for his sake, it is of our own making through utilizing and interpreting the texts out of their context to serve political objectives, of which religion is innocent.

This came during the opening speech of the exhibition on the Arabic calligraphy on “Human Rights culture in Islam”, organized by the National Human Rights Committee in cooperation with the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Greece, the Grand Brittan Hotel in the Greek capital of Athens. In the presence of politicians and a number of representatives of diplomatic missions, Minister of Justice Mr. Kaluyero, Mr. Polaris, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, deputies from the Government and the opposition, former Minister for Navigation Panayotis Koroblis, and Director of the Diplomatic Bureau of the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Theokharopoulos. The ceremony was also attended by a large number of directors of the departments of the Greek Foreign Ministry. The ceremony was also attended by the three Muslim Muftis representing the western region of Thrace in northern Greece, a representative of the Archbishop of Greece, representatives of the Greek Air Force, and a large number of ambassadors and diplomats in Greece as well as community figures and representatives of civil society.

Dr. Al-Marri stated that The principle of universality of human rights goes beyond political, geographical, linguistic, even religious and cultural boundaries. At the Second World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, this principle was affirmed in the second part of paragraph 1 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the Conference which stated: “The universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond question.” While we agree with the principle of universality of human rights, we must also emphasize the importance of local cultures and the positive values of a society, whether religious, cultural or legal. The basic aim is to achieve and protect human rights, and address violations both in the name of cultural values and in the name of human rights. Focusing on the human rights-based aspect is not the end of development, and it is not unlikely that human understanding will develop beyond the rights. The United Nations was established in 1945 in the wake of the atrocities of the Second World War, in which more than 60 million people died and the atomic bomb was thrown in which the destruction was massive at all levels.
The principles of justice and international law were laid to achieve the maintenance of international peace and security; this was followed by the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 as the common standard that all peoples and nations should achieve.

Dr. Ali bin Samikh explained that the exhibition on Islam and Human Rights was launched to carry two messages: a local message that there is no contradiction between Islam and human rights, and a message to the world about tolerance, love, mercy, selflessness, equality, freedom and fraternity expressed in the texts of the Holy Quran. If we are serious about our global demand for international peace and security, we should interpret and understand our beliefs and texts from the standpoint of the values that I have mentioned above.

Al-Marri invited all the visitors to visit the exhibition and have a close look on the beauty of the Arabic calligraphy and the profound meaning of the texts, which reflects our Islamic civilization away from the long-lasting distortion and blurring of its bright aspects. For their part, the visitors expressed their admiration for the exhibition and their appreciation for the great effort exerted by its sponsors.

Croatian ambassador to Athens Alexander Sonko expressed his admiration for the idea of the exhibition, saying that he did not expect such words to come out in such contemporary form and expression. While Mr. Rashad Mabjar, Secretary-General of the Arab-Greek Chamber of Commerce and Development said that The exhibition reflects the Islamic civilization’s respect for humanity. Greek journalist Makis Trindevilopoulos has commended Qatar’s efforts in more than one field. He said that he considered it a role model for making decisions for development and construction.

For his part, Mr. Jurists Kuthris said that the blockade of Qatar and the obstacles that had been put in place made the state seek to mainstream and respect the culture of human rights in a turbulent world that did not recognize basic human rights: “As a man of law, I like this connection between Islam and its meaning and human rights in its modern form”.

Doha: 10 December 2018

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met in his office at the Committee’s headquarters with the French ambassador Frank Geely. The two sides discussed cooperation in human rights issues, activating the mechanisms of exchanging experiences and bridging ways of joint action, as well as the partnerships between the NHRC and some institutions and universities in the French Republic.

As part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the NHRC presented an educational lecture to the staff of Qatar Steel Company on human rights and principles and the role of the National Human Rights Committee. During the lecture, Sheikha Najwa Al-Thani, Director of International Cooperation Department of the National Human Rights committee, explained that the emergence of human rights is the result of convergence of cultures and civilizations.
Sheikha Najwa pointed out that the idea of ​​human rights in its modern form was the result of the social and economic developments that took place in the West during the Industrial Revolution and the two world wars. At the same time, the principles of human rights were found in ancient and modern civilizations in Mesopotamia, as well as the civilizations of the pharaohs, Chinese, India, Greek and Romania where natural law and the principle of democracy arose.

The Director of the Department of International Cooperation reviewed the role of the National Human Rights Committee and its objectives and powers. Sheikha Najwa said that the committee was established in 2002 with the aim of protecting and promoting human rights, and that since its inception, the committee has been accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) under status A since 2010 and reaccredited in 2015 under the same status. Furthermore, it strengthened its exercise of its terms of reference, as required by the Paris Principles. The Committee’s mandate included following up on the realization of the objectives contained in international human rights conventions to which the State was a party, recommending State accession to other conventions and studying domestic legislation and executive procedures in accordance with human rights standards, Advising and submitting recommendations to the Government, as well as receiving complaints and petitions on human rights issues in addition to conducting field visits to penal and correctional institutions, places of detention, health and education entities, and monitoring human rights conditions. Sheikha Najwa Al-Thani briefed on the cooperation between the Committee and all international organizations related to human rights, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The Committee also works to raise awareness and education about human rights and freedoms and to consolidate its principles in terms of thought and practice through training courses, media campaigns and publications.

For his part, Mr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Mahdi, Administration Division Manager at Qatar Steel, said that Qatar Steel Company, in its belief in human rights issues, participated in organizing this lecture in its headquarters in the occasion of the anniversary of International Human Rights Day. He said: “We are keen that all employees of the company are fully aware of their rights and duties, stressing at the same time that the management of the company closely follows all the requirements of employees and workers and reassurance of their conditions in terms of decent housing in compliance with the standards set by the State and provided for by human rights conventions and charters; in addition to providing full health care for all workers in Qatar Steel. Al-Mahdi called for a partnership between Qatar Steel and the National Human Rights Committee concerning education and training in various human rights issues.

December 9, 2018

The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar celebrates the International Day of Human Rights, which falls on 10 December of each year, in its seventieth anniversary under the slogan: human rights for peace. It also marks the date on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which marks the culmination of the march of all advocates of the values ​​of freedom, dignity and equality around the world, as well as the first building block in the global human rights system that seeks to ensure A minimum of rights for all human beings and subsequently formulated in written and binding documents of all States.

Thanks to the Declaration and the States’ commitments to its principles, the dignity of millions of people has been revived and the basis for a more just world has been established, although the Declaration has not yet been fully realized, but it has stood the test of the past decades. This demonstrates its ever-lasting universal character and lasting values ​​of equality, justice and dignity and Humanity.

The United Nations Human Rights Day has chosen this year to be a year-long celebration of seven decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration establishes the principles of equality and dignity for every human being and stipulates that every government has a fundamental duty to enable all people to enjoy all Their inalienable rights and freedoms.

On this occasion, the National Human Rights Committee expresses on the occasion of the celebration of this day (World Human Rights Day) hopes to increase the synergy of national, regional and global action to promote the timeless principles set forth in the International Bill and other human rights conventions, And to continue to put an end to such crimes and to violations and to enable peoples to enjoy their full rights without further discrimination at the international level, especially those who face most important problems at present due to the military trends, conflicts and crises affecting the enjoyment of human rights. The absence of criminal justice to punish the perpetrators of human rights violations, as well as the issue of the protection of journalists and the refugee problem, is a long, painstaking and continuous human tragedy whose causes differ but have the same consequences of depriving them of all their human rights. Therefore, the international community, represented by the United Nations, had to provide and activate mechanisms for the protection of refugees and to defend their lives and rights in accordance with international human rights law in times of war or peace.

The State of Qatar considers respect for human rights a top priority in accordance with international human rights standards and works to strengthen them through continuous development of legislation, procedures and practices on the ground.
The Committee affirms that at the national level, the State of Qatar has achieved pioneering achievements in the protection and promotion of human rights for citizens, residents and all those under the jurisdiction of the State of Qatar. The Committee appreciates the recent accession of the State of Qatar to the International Covenants on Human Rights, Which will have a positive impact on the strategies, policies and legislation of the State of Qatar, most notably the Qatar Vision 2030, where the state adopted under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the state Qatar, a legislative approach consistent with the principles of the maintenance of these rights and respect and promotion and protection in all areas and encourages the NHRC to continue the state development and trends.

In this context, the Committee has been working since its establishment under Decree Law No. 38 of 2002 to carry out its role in the consolidation, promotion and protection of human rights. It has achieved many achievements and has faced some challenges. The committee has been fully accredited status A by the sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which is the umbrella of the National Human Rights Committees since 2010-2015. It was also re-accredited the same status in 2015 for the next five years. It is an indication of the Committee’s commitment to the Paris Principles governing the work of National Human Rights Committees as well as full membership in the Pacific Asia Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF). The NHRC is always working to develop the work of the tools and cooperation with all internal and international bodies.

In light of the continued unjust blockade imposed on the State of Qatar, which affects peace and security in the region and the enjoyment of the human rights of the peoples of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and violates the provisions of international law and human rights and divine laws, the Committee notes that it has worked continuously without interruption from the first moment to receive the complaints submitted by the affected citizens and residents and carry out its international movement and coordination with all international bodies concerned to lift the blockade, and make all possible efforts to mitigate its repercussions on the citizens and residents of Qatar, including citizens of the blockade.

The NHRC will continue its efforts with international human rights organizations and bodies on violations of the rights of citizens and residents of the State of Qatar. In celebration of World Human Rights Day, the Committee affirms its role in promoting human rights in all fields in cooperation and coordination with all concerned governmental and non-governmental bodies in the State. Through its implementation of its current strategic plan for the years 2017-2022, the Committee seeks to raise awareness and education on all human rights, introduce international conventions and national legislation, focus on all issues of citizens and residents, and seek to promote and protect human rights.

– Gulf civil society organizations are required to hold consultations to develop the human rights system in the GCC countries

– We demand strong mechanisms to protect the human rights of the Gulf people and to avoid repeating the tragedies resulting from the blockade

– The unity of the GCC starts with preserving the unity of its people and the cohesion of the Gulf social fabric

– A year and a half of the crisis proved limited human rights and conflict resolution in the GCC

– We cannot allow other failures of the GCC system in the field of human rights and conflict resolution

Vienna: Saturday 7 December 2018

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, called on civil society organizations in the GCC States to hold a series of consultations and meetings to develop the human rights system in the Gulf, pointing out that a year and a half of the blockade of Qatar proved the limited human rights and conflict resolution system in the GCC countries. A few hours before the upcoming Gulf summit in Riyadh, the repercussions and violations resulting from the blockade of Qatar were the focus during the discussions of Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri with a number of journalists and accredited correspondents in Vienna. Al Marri also met with the Austrian Council of Grievances, in Austria and reiterated the conviction of the National Human Rights Committee that “any results or decisions that may emerge from the forthcoming Gulf summit in Riyadh cannot succeed in achieving any progress in the course of the unified Gulf action, unless the repercussions of the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar addressed as a top priority during the discussions of leaders of the GCC”.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established to confirm the unity of the Gulf people. However, the discriminatory and arbitrary measures imposed by the countries of blockade on Qatar have caused a deep blow to the social fabric of the Gulf. With each additional day going through the crisis, the gap between the Gulf states is growing, and the people are paying the biggest price of this unjust blockade. GCC leaders must understand that the unity of the GCC begins by preserving the unity of its people and the cohesion of the Gulf social fabric. We cannot allow other failures of the GCC system in the area of ​​human rights and conflict resolution,” Al Marri added.

In response to journalists’ questions about the importance of decisions that could emerge from the Riyadh summit, Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh said: “It cannot be ignored that the blockade imposed on Qatar has hurt the people more than it has harmed governments. The leaders of the GCC must agree on new procedures and mechanisms in the rules of procedure of the Council, guaranteeing respect for the principle of non-use of peoples as a leverage tool to eliminate any political disputes in the future! We, the National Human Rights Committee, will not stop our actions in this direction until the victims are redressed. We do not want the GCC to lose this historic opportunity to heal the Gulf rift at the Riyadh summit,” he said.

Responsibility of Gulf civil society organizations

The chairman of the National Human Rights Committee noted that a part of the responsibility for the human rights situation in the Gulf states is attributed to the “failure” of the human rights system in the GCC countries, calling on civil society organizations and national human rights institutions in the GCC countries to hold a series Consultations and meetings to develop the human rights system in the GCC countries.

Strengthening cooperation with the Austrian Ombudsman Council

On the other hand, the chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, in his meeting with officials of the Austrian Ombudsman Council, discussed means of enhancing cooperation between the two sides in the fields of exchange of experience and training and promotion of the culture of human rights in both countries. For their part, officials of the Austrian Ombudsman’s Council commended the achievements of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar in the field of protection and promotion of human rights locally and regionally.