NHRC Vice-Chairman Dr. Mohammed Saif Al-Kuwari speaking at the event.
Doha, Qatar: A symposium held in Doha yesterday called for reaffirming that human rights must serve as the foundation of dignity in daily life, urging governments, institutions, and communities to transform principles into practical actions that safeguard justice, equality, and human worth amid rising global challenges.
Marking the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the Secretariat-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, and the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region organised a special symposium titled “Human Rights: The Cornerstone of Our Dignity in Everyday Life.”
The event was held at the NHRC headquarters in Doha. The theme reflects the growing global challenges to human rights, with organisers emphasising that human dignity is not an abstract ideal but a practical foundation that should be reflected in education, healthcare, work, justice, and equality. Dignity, they stressed, lies at the heart of all rights, and any violation of it constitutes a direct erosion of an individual’s humanity.
The symposium reaffirmed that human rights are not slogans or static texts but a basis for interactions between people in their everyday lives.
In his address, Dr. Mohammed Saif Al-Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the NHRC, highlighted the special importance of this global occasion for Qatar. He described it as an opportunity to reaffirm that human rights are not theoretical provisions but practical tools that empower individuals and communities to build a better future.
He added that the slogan for this year’s celebration aligns closely with Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, which emphasises the protection of human dignity and is in harmony with Islamic principles as the primary source of legislation. He also noted Qatar’s firm commitment to implementing the human rights treaties to which it is a party.
Dr. Al-Kuwari underscored the NHRC’s pivotal role in promoting a human rights culture, grounded in the Islamic civilizational legacy of justice, equality, noble ethics, and respect for human dignity. The committee, he noted, has made sustained efforts in awareness, protection of rights, and participation in international forums, earning significant global recognition.
Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, stressed that human rights are indivisible, non-negotiable, and cannot be postponed or suspended. They are not privileges limited to those in stable conditions but the entitlement of every human being, everywhere and at all times.
He called on national institutions, independent by mandate, to raise their voices, document violations, and urge states to fulfil their obligations under international law, while supporting the work of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in ensuring accountability and justice for victims. Hindam Al-Rajoub, representing the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre stressed that the world today needs more solidarity and more human rights, noting that inclusive policies and acts of solidarity can transform lives and bridge divides.
