The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) recently took part in the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting was held from September 24 to 25 and saw the participation of various national human rights institutions from the region. The Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), H.E. Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, emphasized the importance of cooperation among countries to protect the rights and interests of future generations. She also highlighted the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future, where participating countries will have the opportunity to define goals and plan necessary steps to achieve them.
During her online speech, Al Attiyah announced that the Global Alliance will issue a statement ahead of the Summit of the Future, which will be attended by world leaders in New York City. This statement will urge governments to reaffirm their commitment to human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the United Nations Charter. It also calls for the support of a renewed multilateral system focused on improving people’s lives. Al Attiyah called on national human rights institutions to work together with their governments to stress the importance of human rights in the future charter adopted at the summit and to contribute to its implementation.
Al Attiyah emphasized the importance of cooperation among national human rights institutions to address the contemporary challenges facing human rights today. She noted that national human rights institutions play a crucial role in engaging local communities, combating discrimination, supporting marginalized groups, protecting civic space and human rights defenders, and advocating for those in power who respect human rights. She stressed that GANHRI’s priority is to support its members as they navigate their challenging roles in protecting human rights during times of crisis.
The Chairperson highlighted the need for national human rights institutions to be prepared to address the challenges facing human rights in today’s world. She called for cooperation between institutions to ensure they are adequately equipped to tackle these challenges. Al Attiyah stressed the importance of national human rights institutions in supporting the implementation of the future charter to be adopted at the United Nations Summit of the Future. This charter will set the goals and steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of future generations.
In conclusion, Al Attiyah’s speech at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum highlighted the crucial role of national human rights institutions in protecting human rights and ensuring the well-being of future generations. She called on these institutions to cooperate with their governments and with each other to address the challenges facing human rights today. By working together and advocating for human rights, national human rights institutions can play a significant role in shaping a future where human rights are respected and upheld for all.
