Brookings Doha and QU Panel to Discuss UN Role in Human Rights System

Doha, February 20 (QNA) - The role of the United Nations Human Rights System, international norms and the transformation of the Middle East will be the topic of policy discussion at a joint Brookings Doha Center and Qatar University forum to be held here this Thursday. HE the Attorney General of the State of Qatar Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow and Deputy Director for Foreign Policy Ted Piccone will be on the panel discussion to be moderated by Brookings Doha Center Director Salman Shaikh who is also a Fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. HE Dr. Al Marri has served as the Head of the Legal Department in Al Diwan Al Amiri and as a Professor of International Law at Qatar University. He is a member of many distinguished national commissions and international bodies, such as the Qatar Commission on Permanent Constitution, the UN International Law Commission and the International Association of Prosecutors. Piccone is a foreign policy and legal expert on issues of democracy, human rights, international organizations and US-Latin American affairs. He has over 20 years experience in government, law and research. He also serves as an advisor to the Club of Madrid, an association of over 70 former heads of state and government engaged in efforts to strengthen democracy around the world, and previously served as its Washington office director. Shaikh has worked with the United Nations for nearly a decade, primarily on Middle East policy, as the special assistant of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and as political adviser to the UN Secretary General's Personal Representative for Lebanon during the 2006 war. He also served as the Director for Policy and Research in the Office of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. The discussion will be held at the Administration Building Conference Room of Qatar University from 12.30pm to 2pm on February 23. (QNA)