NHRC Participates In 52nd Session UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, March 21 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), represented by its Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, participated in the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Addressing the session, HE Al Jamali affirmed the NHRC prioritizes the rights of persons with disabilities, pointing out that the development of the concept of disability in Qatari society makes it possible to change the quality of services provided to persons with disabilities. Al Jamali called on the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and all the national institutions it represents to present the information and ideas, which came within the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, for public dialogue among their societies, the media and decision makers, as well as persons with disabilities themselves. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of NHRC called for the launch of a clear discourse, declaring the national human rights institutions' complete rejection of all practices of intolerance and extremism, and declaring the belief in the values of moderation, tolerance and coexistence, the most important of which is freedom of religion and belief. Noting that spreading the culture of tolerance and moderation is one of the most important roles of national institutions, HE Al Jamali said that the universality enjoyed by these rights transcends political, geographical, linguistic and cultural borders. In the same context, the NHRC participated in the regional meeting of the board members of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF). The regional meeting is an opportunity for APF members to consider issues relevant to the GANHRI, review the work of the APF over the past six month, discuss issues of mutual interest among member institutions, and network with other interested partners and stakeholders. The meeting saw participants from member institutions of the APF, invited observers from representatives of UN agencies, GANHRI, and national human rights institutions that have applied for, or intend to apply for, membership of APF in addition to relevant stakeholders. NHRC also took part in the high-level annual meeting and the GANHRI General Assembly which approved, in its strategy for the next five years, to support the establishment, strengthening, accreditation and capacity development of national human rights institutions, besides providing leadership in the promotion and protection of human rights, bringing the voice of national human rights institutions to the United Nations and other relevant global forums, and acting as a professional, effective, well-managed and efficient organization. (QNA)