Foreign Ministry Concludes Workshop on Qatar's Obligations to Protect Human Rights

Foreign Ministry Concludes Workshop on Qatar's Obligations to Protect Human Rights

Doha – Information Office – 03 April

The Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha concluded the workshop on Qatar's reporting obligations under its accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

HE Director of Human Rights Department at the Ministry Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab said Qatar joining both international conventions is part of its growing interest in promoting and protecting human rights, which is a strategic choice for the State.

His Excellency added that this was emphasized in Qatar National Vision 2030 and in the first and second national development strategies (2011-2016) and (2018-2022). He pointed out that the national legislations issued in recent years reflected this concern.

During the workshop, Deputy Director of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South- West Asia and the Arab Region Alaa Kaoud touched on guidelines for reporting to the technical committee on human rights. He added that the State of Qatar will submit its first report on August 21, one year after it joined the committee established under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

He said that the ICCPR was signed by 172 countries last February and includes many rights such the right to life, protection against torture, prohibition of slavery, servitude, forced labor, the right to liberty and personal security. As well as right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to equality before the law and other human rights, he added.

The participants discussed the different aspects of the rights found in the ICCPR and their legal status in Qatar and practical application. They also exchanged views on the most important points to focus on.