Cairo: The 17th session of the Arab Human Rights Committee began yesterday at the headquarters of the Arab League’s General Secretariat.
In his speech at the opening session, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, who headed the delegation of the State of Qatar in the session said that the State of Qatar appreciates the role the committee plays in implementing the articles of the Arab Charter on Human Rights. He stressed that the State of Qatar fully cooperates with the committee to help it carry out its role in improving the standard of human rights in the region.
He added that the State of Qatar continues to focus on the provisions of the Arab Charter and has taken legislative, legal, administrative and other appropriate measures to enhance the rights guaranteed by the Charter and provide the means to ensure their promotion, development and modernization within the framework of integrated social development.
He stressed that the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, celebrated the Arab Human Rights Day, which falls on March 16, and was approved by the Arab League. The celebration aimed to raise awareness at the local and national levels of human rights, the Arab Charter on Human Rights, and the principles enshrined in the Arab Charter on Human Rights. The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that this commitment was based on national references, foremost of which the constitution of the State of Qatar, which affirmed and consolidated human rights and included them in 24 articles under its third chapter on public rights and duties.
He highlighted the affirmation of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his speech before the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly last September, that human development and protecting human rights are lead the State of Qatar’s priority.
For his part, Chairman of the Arab Human Rights Committee Jaber Saleh Al Marri, said that the Arab human rights system, of which the committee represents one of its tools, confirmed that the Arab culture is not an obstacle to human rights, but rather a guarantee for its protection. He highlighted the importance of encouraging other Arab countries who are yet to join the charter to do so.