NHRC chair meets President of UN Human Rights Council

Geneva: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah met with President of the United Nations Human Rights Council Ambassador Federico Villegas.

The Chairperson of NHRC also met separately with Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division at the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Dr. Simon Geissbuhler; and Director of the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) Thomas Guerber, at the UN headquarters in Geneva.

The meetings discussed issues related to human rights worldwide, cultural integration and interfaith dialogue, in addition to Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

During her meeting with the President of the UN Human Rights Council, she touched upon the complex situation of the human rights situation and its national institutions, in light of the devastating impact of climate change and the war in Ukraine, the related economic and financial crises, as well as the ongoing fears caused by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She noted that during the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, the GANHRI will address some pressing challenges, including the support for the resolution submitted by Australia on national human rights institutions and their role in addressing human rights in the context of climate change; expressing the hope to receive broad regional support in that regard.

Al Attiyah noted that GANHRI is preparing to participate in the 27th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in partnership with UN partners and the Special Rapporteur on climate change. She explained that the alliance has applied for observer status at this conference, to enable its members from national human rights institutions to present their experiences in the field of human rights and to contribute to decision-making in the field of climate change.

On the other hand, while meeting with Dr. Geissbuhler, Al Attiyah emphasized the need to activate cooperation between the NHRC and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to enhance understanding on human rights and employment issues, in addition to cultural integration and interfaith dialogue; calling in this context for the renewal of the memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

During her meeting with the DCAF Director, the NHRC Chairperson discussed Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting the National Human Rights Forum organized by the NHRC reviewed the country’s readiness for the tournament.

The two sides also discussed the lessons learned from the three courses organized by the NHRC at Hamad International Airport on human rights at international airports last June, in cooperation with the Geneva Center. It was also agreed to hold a training course for volunteers during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for NHRC staff in October.