The State of Qatar Highlights Adoption of Several Measures to Enhance Human Rights

United Nations General Assembly

The State of Qatar has affirmed its commitment to human rights by reflecting its dedication to developing and strengthening its legislative and institutional framework at the national level, adding that it has taken measures to enhance and protect human rights, highlighting that several legal laws have been enacted, including the juvenile law, social security law, compulsory education law and its amendments, as well as the anti-human trafficking law.

This statement was made by the State of Qatar during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on the promotion and protection of human rights, as presented by HE Sheikha Maha bint Mishari Al Thani, who is the Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, before the third committee, at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

She emphasized that Qatar has demonstrated its commitment to human rights through the establishment of various human rights departments within ministries to promote and protect human rights in their integrated, interconnected, and indivisible concept. It also highlighted that, at the non-governmental level, the National Committee for Human Rights was established by Law No. 38 of 2002. This committee aims to enhance and protect human rights and public freedoms while embedding the principles and culture of human rights in the country.

Additionally, Qatar has undertaken several measures to protect and enhance the rights of persons with disabilities. These measures include hosting the first FIFA World Cup in 2022 to be accessible to people with disabilities, allowing them to enjoy the right to sports. Qatar has also supported international efforts aimed at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, such as the issuance of the Doha Declaration for the Enhancement of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities around the world in 2019. This declaration serves as a reference framework for integrating persons with disabilities into the 2030 Sustainable Development Plans.

In the field of education, Qatar has achieved significant success at the national, regional, and international levels in ensuring the right to education, allowing it to be among the top five international destinations for educational transformation globally.

The statement highlighted that Qatar has implemented regional and international initiatives aimed at providing quality education for millions of children deprived of education due to poverty, armed conflicts, insecurity, and disasters. Notably, Qatar's initiatives, such as the "Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict" program, which is a founding member of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, and the "Educate a Child" program, have been successful in enrolling 10 million children in schools.

Qatar is committed to enhancing and protecting the rights of the elderly through various legislative, policy, and executive measures to provide them with specialized services that cater to their needs and priorities. This includes the National Committee for Women, Children, the Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Ehsan Center for Empowering and Caring for the Elderly.

Her Excellency also expressed Qatar's pride in its current membership in the Human Rights Council that commenced in 2022. She emphasized that Qatar plays an active role in enhancing the Council's functions, which are aimed at achieving global respect for all values and principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination. Additionally, Qatar effectively addresses human rights violations worldwide.

The statement strongly condemned the Israeli occupation's shelling of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, considering it a heinous massacre and a grave crime against innocent civilians. Qatar expressed grave concern about developments in the Gaza Strip, calling on all parties to cease hostilities, de-escalate the situation, exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians from the consequences of fighting, and prevent the region from sliding into a wider circle of violence.

Qatar urged the international community to take swift action to open humanitarian corridors, enabling international organizations to deliver medical and food aid to Gaza and evacuate injured civilians.

(QNA)