January 13, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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January 3, 2021 Doha

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, met via video conference, with Ms. Shahrazad Akbar, Chairperson of the Afghan Independent Commission for Human Rights. the two sides discussed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to exchange experiences and expertise in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Doha – 16 December 2020

the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri underlined that the National Day is an occasion that reminds of the efforts exerted by the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani in order to develop the state and its human resources, adding that Sheikh Jassim laid down the foundations for establishing a state characterized by moderation and balance in all issues, whether at the national level, or at the regional and international levels, enabling Qatar to become one of the mediation actors in many conflicts.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Ali bin Samikh al-Marri said that the people of Qatar see this day as a national platform to build on strengths and address weaknesses in accordance with a national vision that promotes the value of the human being as the main focus for preserving a civilization that has perpetuated the meaning of rights and duties. The NHRC chairman noted that since the announcement of the coronavirus as a global pandemic, the National Human Rights Committee has carried out its humanitarian duty, within the framework of its legal responsibilities and the exercise of its competencies in accordance with the law of its establishment, and in accordance with the Paris Principles. The NHRC launched a hotline to provide legal advice to ensure the continuation of its services within the framework of the precautionary measures adopted to prevent the spread of the pandemic among members of society. The Committee also sought to communicate with government and non-governmental authorities in order to address the challenges and help complainants. the NHRC issued a statement on the measures to confront the outbreak of the coronavirus, through which it expressed the need for concerted efforts by the government and all groups of the society in giving priority to the right to health for all and respect human rights without discrimination. The statement also urged the competent authorities to move forward with its measures expand the response to confront this pandemic, provided that these measures are in line with human rights standards. In the same context, the NHRC formed the “Field Visits and Monitoring sub-Committee” to conduct field visits to places designated for quarantine, places of detention and labor accommodation in order to assess the humanitarian conditions and precautionary measures, as well as awareness and education sub-committee to ensure that the target groups acquire the information needed for protection against the pandemic. Dr. Al Marri noted that The NHRC monitored all the measures adopted by the state in this regard and noticed the great efforts made and are still being made by the medical teams on the front lines to contain and control this pandemic.

Al Marri added that the state faced many challenges in the past period, however it created great opportunities to confront these challenges by promoting many rights, including joining the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in addition to adopting a series of reforms and legislative developments in the Qatari Labor Law, and hosting many United Nations offices and special rapporteurs in 2020, which confirms the State has used the challenges to further improve the protection and promotion of human rights. The NHRC also paid visits to the quarantine centers designated to receive workers in order to assess the humanitarian conditions, and similar visits to quarantine hotels, workers accommodation and the Industrial Zone.

On the achievements of the National Human Rights Committee, Dr. Al-Marri affirmed the keenness on achieving the goals of the National Vision 2030 which aims at transforming Qatar into an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development goals, noting that national human rights institutions are among the most important bodies that monitor the extent to which States were fulfilling their obligations in the fields of human rights, and promote the commitment of states to those rights. With regard to the international co-operation, Dr. Al Marri said that the Committee has previously assumed the chair of the International Accreditation Committee of the Alliance which is specialized in accrediting national human rights institutions. The NHRC held the first president of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions and hosts its permanent headquarters. By 2021, the NHRC will assume the presidency of the Arab Network again. The Committee also hosts the permanent headquarters of the APF office, and is still working to expand a network of international and regional partnerships despite the current health challenges represented by the coronavirus pandemic by developing communication mechanisms.

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Coordination meetings for the promotion and protection of human rights in the State of Qatar

Doha: December 15, 2020

The NHRC established a mechanism for cooperation and coordination with the competent authorities in the state, where the coordination meeting No. (2) was held today to discuss the enforcement of Decree-Law No. 19 of the year 20 amending some provisions of Law No. 21 of 2015, and addressing the challenges associated with its implementation. The meeting was attended by Brigadier Mohamed Saleh Al-Kuwari, representing the General Department of Passports, Major Ali Talib Al Henzab, representing the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, and Captain Issa Saleh Al-Kuwari, representing the Research and Follow-up Department, and Mr. Youssef Ali Abdel-Nour and Mr. Ghanem Rashid Al-Ghanim representing the Labor Relations Department At the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs. The meeting discussed the challenges to changing the employer, health insurance, departure security, canceling residence permits, in addition to creating a balance between protecting the rights of employers and their employees, facilitating communication and communication mechanisms between the competent authorities and the National Human Rights Committee and developing solutions and proposals. Mr. Nasser Marzouq Sultan Al-Marri, Acting Director of Legal Affairs at the National Human Rights Committee, said that these coordination meetings come within the framework of advancing human rights in the State of Qatar, especially in light of recent legislative reforms, in addition to enhancing the role of the committee. Al-Marri pointed out that the first coordination meeting had discussed mechanisms to address the challenges facing the committee in the field of promotion and protection of human rights in accordance with Decree-Law No. 19 of 2020 amending some provisions of Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates.

Within the framework of its commemoration of of International Human Rights Day:The National Human Rights Committee organized a seminar on Developing human rights mechanisms in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond in various sectors with the participation of the Ministries of Public Health and the Interior

Al-Kuwari: Developing human rights mechanisms is one of the strategic objectives of national institutions

Mona Al-Maslamani: The Coronavirus vaccine will be available to everyone free of charge within the framework of the right to health

Al-Dossary: ​​The Ministry of Interior takes into account human rights as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic

Doha: December 14, 2020

Within the framework of the National Human Rights Committee’s commemoration of the International Human Rights Day, which came this year under the slogan “Building back better,” the National Human Rights Committee organized a seminar on “Developing human rights mechanisms in light of the Corona pandemic and beyond in various sectors” with the participation of the ministries of public health And internal. Dr. Muhammad bin Saif Al-Kuwari, Vice President of the National Human Rights Committee, pointed out in his opening speech to the seminar that the Coronavirus pandemic has jeopardized the interests of various vital areas in state institutions in all their sectors, especially those related to the public.

Al-Kuwari stated we should call for early research to find the best ways to develop the mechanisms of national human rights institutions in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond, in terms of response and administrative efficiency in considering the issues raised while improving the level of services for the public. Al-Kuwari noted that the work of national institutions is not limited to receiving complaints, but there are other functions relating to providing recommendations and advice in relation to national, regional and international legislation and conducting visits and monitoring of human rights conditions. This is in addition to its role in raising awareness and educating the society within the framework of its role in protecting human rights and preserving its dignity, implementing the values ​​of social justice and tolerance, and promoting equality and non-discrimination, pointing out that each function of the aforementioned needs to be “rebuilt in a better way” in line with the global trend and commensurate with the burdens on the national human rights institutions. Al-Kuwari explained that the National Human Rights Committee has already applied the process of benefiting from electronic systems since the announcement of the Coronavirus pandemic as a global epidemic and relying on social distancing as a means to limit the spread of the epidemic among members of society. He said: These methods have proven their effectiveness and have saved a lot of time and effort in light of reducing the human labor force and applying home quarantine for 80% of the workforce.

Dr. Mona Al-Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) presented a working paper on “The necessity to adhere to precautionary measures in case of health emergencies to promote the right to health.” Al-Maslamani said there are two ethical factors that are related to human health rights and must not be overlooked in any health strategy , namely the right to educate society about the risk this virus and the right to access information about the developments of the pandemic. Al-Maslamani discussed the experience of the State of Qatar to confront the virus and the challenges that faced the health sector in this respect, and addressed the process of ensuring that quarantine is subject to human rights standards, pointing out International human rights law, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), requires that restrictions on rights for reasons of public health or national emergency be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Restrictions such as mandatory quarantine or isolation of symptomatic people must, at a minimum, be carried out in accordance with the law. They must be strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, based on scientific evidence, proportionate to achieve that objective, neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in application, of limited duration, respectful of human dignity, and subject to review. As for the category of workers, Al-Maslamani pointed out that The state has allocated places for quarantine under the full medical supervision of the Hamad Medical Corporation in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality And the environment, the Public Works Authority and the Ministry of Interior.

For his part, Colonel Saad Salem Saad Al-Dossary, Assistant Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, presented a working paper entitled “The Role of Law Enforcement Officials in Follow-up of precautionary Measures and Respecting Human Rights,” in which he reviewed law enforcement responsibilities while preserving the right to public health in addition to Efforts made by the Ministry of Interior in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. Al-Dossary said: This pandemic has posed a real challenge for states, governments, organizations and civil society institutions, pointing out that this epidemic has caused great harm to human rights, foremost among which are the rights to life, work, movement and peaceful assembly. This is due to the measures required to impose control and restrictions within the framework of quarantine, social distancing and other measures, which made organizations and human rights institutions call for the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of combating the Corona pandemic. Al-Dossary added that the Ministry of Interior took into account human rights within the framework of precautionary measures, affirming at the time that the restrictions imposed were to the extent that it served the public order, including the elements of public security, public health, public tranquility and public morals. In the same context, Mr. Abdul Rahman Muhammad Al-Sulaiti, Legal Affairs Department of the National Human Rights Committee presented a working paper on “Harnessing the Electronic means to Develop Human Rights Mechanisms”.

The NHRC welcomes the statement of the Public Prosecution office regarding finding an abandoned newborn at Hamad International Airport

November 23, 2020

The National Human Rights Committee welcomed what was stated in the Public Prosecution’s statement regarding finding an abandoned newborn at Hamad International Airport, and the committee appreciated the efforts made by the competent authorities to uncover the uncertainty surrounding that incident, and the National Human Rights Committee also praised the emergency medical interventions taken by government agencies to save the girl’s life.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, head of the Media and Public Relations Unit at the National Human Rights Committee, said: The statement of the Public Prosecution uncovered the uncertainty surrounding that incident and emphasized the abuses and actions of some airport officers with regard to the measures taken against some female travelers are individual.

Al-Mahmoud said: This incident shook the conscience of all members of society and indicated that uncovered the uncertainty surrounding that incident caused great satisfaction to the public. Residents and visitors; pointing out that the National Human Rights Committee, according to its terms of reference and mandate works to promote and protect human rights at the national level, for all individuals and groups within Qatar, including citizens, residents, and visitors as well as everyone under the legal jurisdiction of the State of Qatar. The NHRC also calls on the competent authorities to exert more effort and provide all kinds of special care for children, based on local laws and the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations in 1989, including the child’s right to protection and the right to be registered immediately after birth and all The rest of the rights stipulated.

On the occasion of the celebration of International Human Rights Day: Maryam Al-Attiyah:

The world will emerge from the implications of the Coronavirus pandemic, with concerted efforts to promote human rights.

Millions of people worldwide have lost their access to the right to health and work due to the outbreak of the Corona epidemic.

An interactive seminar is organized by the NHRC on “ways to develop human rights mechanisms in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond”.

We celebrate International Human Rights Day with great optimism that the world will soon emerge from this crisis

Doha, December 9, 2020

Ms. Maryam Bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee called for the necessity of concerting efforts of the government, institutions and various groups of Qatari society in order to promote human rights and overcome the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, praising at the same time the efforts made by the State of Qatar to preserve The basic rights of citizens and residents, especially the right to health and work, that have been denied due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has caused millions of people to their most basic rights.

In a statement on the occasion of the celebration of International Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10 of each year, the Secretary-General of the NHRC said: “We celebrate the International Human Rights Day with great optimism that the world will emerge from the crisis soon. Al-Attiyah added: “The selection by the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the slogan“ Building back better ”sends a message of optimism to the world, with a real will to join global efforts, in order to address the negative impacts and implications of the outbreak of the Coronavirus epidemic. We, the National Human Rights Committee, call on the various actors of the Qatari community to join efforts to respond to this call, and to work collectively to rebuild what the epidemic caused, and to reinforce the state’s keenness to preserve the basic rights of citizens and residents, foremost among which is the right to health and work, pointing out that “the NHRC Commemoration of the International Human Rights Day also aim to promote the slogan of the International Human Rights Day (rebuilding better).”

Al Attiyah stated that the NHRC has organized an online seminar on December 14, which deals with discussion “ways to develop human rights mechanisms in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond.” On the other hand, the Secretary-General affirmed that “celebrating International Human Rights Day is an occasion to examine the achievements made by the State of Qatar to promote human rights in the Qatari society, referring to the legislations issued by the State of Qatar to promote the rights of citizens and residents of Qatar, Including the laws concerned with improving work and residency conditions for expatriates. Al Attiyah recalled that the National Human Rights Committee welcomed the issuance of Law No. (17) of 2020 issued by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, regarding determining the minimum wage for workers and domestic workers, in addition to Decree Law No. (19) for the year 2020 amending the provisions of Law No. (21) of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates, which is a milestone in the history of the reality of employment in the region, so that the State of Qatar takes the lead in adopting the non-discriminatory minimum wage in the region. In addition, the state of Qatar acceded to many international agreements and conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights, which has reflected positively on the strategies, policies and national laws of the State of Qatar.

Al-Attiyah noted that the State of Qatar has demonstrated its concern for promoting human rights through a series of laws and legislation, which comes in line with and implementation of the Qatar National Vision 2030. It should be noted that the annual celebration of International Human Rights Day on December 10 of each year comes to commemorate the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the year 1948. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights affirmed that its choice of the slogan “Build Back Better” for the annual celebrations of International Human Rights Day reflects its commitment to human rights and the achievement of sustainable development goals. It also means addressing inequalities within and between countries; Establishing comprehensive health and social protection systems; Addressing environmental degradation; Institutional strengthening; Addressing the structural human rights violations that worsened the Covid-19 outbreak, in addition to urgently addressing the climate emergency and creating a just, inclusive and equal world, and thus more resilient and ready to face future crises.

Dr. Al-Marri: All humankind is tasked with enhancing the global response to the threat of climate change

A call to integrate climate change and environmental approaches into NHRI complaint systems

Doha: December 5, 2020

Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions called on taking decisive action to mitigate the impact of climate change as well as building capacities, noting that the phenomenon of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today.

Al Marri explained that The National Human Rights Committee plays an important role in monitoring the state’s implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, which was ratified by the state on June 23, 2017, where the State of Qatar was one of the first signatories. Through monitoring, the committee makes recommendations and proposals for developing climate policies based on a human rights approach.

Al Marri pointed out that Environmental sustainability has become a dominant issue at the public and private sectors in the State of Qatar over the past few years. New initiatives have been launched in several companies. One of the best practices is the first Clean Development Mechanism Project introduced by the state of Qatar in 2007, “the Al-Shaheen Oil Field Gas Recovery and Utilization Project”, noting that The National Human Rights Committee has monitored some companies made substantial investments in replacing old turbines, boilers and furnaces to reduce greenhouse and non-greenhouse gas emissions and get rid of wastewater. However, these initiatives were indiscriminate and lack coherence, which is why the committee presented in its annual reports recommendations to decision makers to compile and strengthen these initiatives by expediting the enactment of new regulations and establishing a strong support system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large manufacturing firms while ensuring commitment to transparency and accountability.

Al Marri concluded that The National Human Rights Committee is committed to continue work actively towards developing a comprehensive climate policy based on a human rights approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector. In the same context, The committee plans to develop programs to disseminate information and education of the Paris Agreement for all segments of society, and to achieve a common vision on climate change and human rights, in order to help implement this agreement and achieve the state’s obligation on stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner towards the objective of the Paris agreement.

Al-Marri:Due importance must be given to national institutions to become actors in formulating public policies

Governments must be transparent and accountable in their response to the Coronavirus pandemic

We should ensure that any measures taken, even in emergency situations, are lawful and non-discriminatory

London: December 6, 2020

Al Marri stated that Climate change and its impacts are one of the greatest challenges of the day, directly and indirectly impacting on the full enjoyment of human rights, including social, economic and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights, the right to development and the right to a healthy environment. We recognize the importance of protecting the environment and biodiversity for present and future generations and that protecting the environment and biodiversity means taking care of water, air, land, animals and plants. We are concerned that climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable reinforcing existing disparities and creating new economic and social inequalities. Moreover, we are concerned that the policy measures taken to combat, mitigate, and adapt to climate change may not be sufficient to reduce negative impacts on human rights, but might even exacerbate the situation for the most vulnerable people, if not developed and implemented based on human rights and environmental laws and standards.

This came during his intervention at the annual meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, on the first day on “Implementing the Functions of National Human Rights Institutions in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge Sharing”.

Al Marri added a human rights-based approach leads to more sustainable and effective climate action and climate policies. We call on our states to ratify and implement international and regional human rights treaties, taking into account the recommendations and guidance from the UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures and UN Treaty Bodies. We welcome that to date 194 States have signed and 189 are now Parties to the Paris Agreement, and call on all states to implement its provisions. The Paris Agreement is a significant step for the promotion of human rights-based and people-centered climate action as it explicitly refers to States’ obligation to respect, promote and consider human rights protection when taking action to address climate change. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is directed to all countries and can help to foster the meaningful implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Al Marri pointed out that We recognize the need for climate justice for all and in particular those communities that are most vulnerable and susceptible to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Climate justice means addressing the climate crisis with a human rights-based approach whilst also making progress towards a just transition to a zero-carbon economy. It ensures that decisions on climate change are participatory, non-discriminatory, transparent and accountable and that benefits and burden of climate action are shared equitably. Climate justice requires that those most affected by climate change have access to effective remedies, including financial support. Efforts to address climate change must leave no one behind.

As for the national policies and relevant commitments, Al Marri said We commit to contributing to climate action efforts in line with human rights obligations and principles of non-discrimination and participation, by reporting to and advising government bodies as well as other stakeholders on a human rights-based approach to climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Moreover, We will promote and monitor the conduct of sound environmental, social and human rights risk and impact assessments prior to commencement of projects and the adoption of policy measures related to climate change and the environment. In addition, We will ensure that human rights-based approach towards sustainable and effective climate action integrate the expertise of local communities and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. Moreover, a human rights-based approach to climate actions require meaningful, effective and active participation of all relevant stakeholders in the designing and implementation of national, regional and international climate policies, an objective that we will promote in all relevant policy fora. We also commit to integrating climate change and environmental perspective into our investigation of complaints and base our advocacy and policy advice on our findings. In addition, we commit to supporting rights-holders who are negatively impacted by either climate change or measures taken to address the impacts of climate change in order to facilitate effective access to remedy.