First National Forum on Human Rights Kicks Off on Monday

First National Forum on Human Rights

The first national forum on human rights, organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), will kick off on Monday and last for two days. The forum will discuss the role of law enforcement institutions in protecting human rights during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The forum, which is held in cooperation between NHRC and a number of other parties, exemplifies the efforts put by every single state institution as part of their preparations for the World Cup and ways to integrate sports into the culture of human rights.

HE NHRC Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali stressed in a press statement today, the importance of the forums topics, which will be discussed in 4 sessions: dealing with 11 working papers over the duration of two days. The objective of the forum is to raise awareness of the need to have a human rights approach in the work of law enforcement institutions, as part of national efforts put in order to facilitate the success of the tournament, as well as to enrich the Qatari human rights practice in dealing with the World Cup.

His Excellency indicated that the forums recommendations will push towards the success of the tournament and the sports scene in Qatar, using a human rights-based approach. In addition, HE Al Jamali added that the selection of the State of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup is a good occasion to review the process of integrating the concepts of human rights into major sporting events.

Moreover, His Excellency pointed out that NHRC considers sports as a comprehensive and fundamental method through which human development and safety is promoted: manifesting the third of the Sustainable Development Goals: to ensure that people of all ages are safe and have a healthy lifestyle.

In addition, HE Al Jamali remarked that sport and human rights share many fundamental values and principles: referring back to the objectives of the Olympic Charter: which sets sports as a means for the harmonious development of man; for the purpose of creating a peaceful society concerned with preserving human dignity. Furthermore, he noted that NHRC intends to organize the national forum annually, in order to keep pace with current events and updates relating to human rights.

In fact, participants will include a number of officers representing relevant Ministry of Interior departments, NHRC members, as well as a number of invitees representing concerned governmental and non-governmental authorities in Qatar: such as criminal justice bodies, civil society organizations, research and academic institutions, and the media, in addition to other stakeholders.

Source: QNA