The regional dialogue forum on “human rights: promoting equality and combating discrimination in the context of migration” was launched in Doha with the participation of experts from Qatar and around the world. The forum aims to come up with international human rights methods to promote equality and non-discrimination, address racism, and raise understanding of the challenges in addressing racism and discrimination. Chairperson of the NHRC H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized the importance of equality and combating discrimination as part of the priorities of GCC countries, welcoming efforts taken by Qatar to protect the rights of expatriate workers and fulfill international obligations.
Al Attiyah highlighted that Qatar’s legislative reforms guarantee and protect the rights of expatriate workers and uphold equality as an essential pillar of society. She mentioned that the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 has contributed to strengthening this path, and the NHRC will continue to work with national, regional, and international partners to achieve further progress. The forum provides an opportunity to exchange experiences, best practices, and challenges in promoting human rights, with the hope that recommendations will contribute to the development of regional and international standards of equality and non-discrimination.
The Secretary-General of ANNHRI, Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, emphasized the strategic plan of ANNHRI to promote and protect human rights in the Arab region through various activities in partnership with international organizations and civil society stakeholders. Over the past 13 years, ANNHRI has conducted numerous educational, awareness-raising, and training activities aimed at enhancing the protection and promotion of human rights in the Arab region. These activities target a diverse range of groups, including government institutions, civil society organizations, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Al Jamali noted that ANNHRI’s objective is to combat discrimination and create a generation with a deep understanding of human rights. Through conferences, forums, workshops, and courses, ANNHRI has worked to build and refine skills in various human rights fields, reaching out to a broad spectrum of stakeholders to address the needs of the activity. The goal is to limit and fight discrimination to cultivate a culture of human rights within the Arab region. ANNHRI’s collaboration with international organizations and stakeholders underscores the commitment to promoting equality and combating discrimination in the region.
The event in Doha serves as a platform for national human rights institutions in the region to collaborate, exchange experiences, and work towards achieving further progress in raising awareness and education on human rights, especially in the field of equality and non-discrimination. The importance of drawing on international human rights methods and experiences to address challenges and practices related to racism and discrimination in the context of migration is crucial for promoting the rights of immigrants and fostering a culture of equality and respect.
The forum’s recommendations are expected to contribute to establishing a roadmap for the future and advancing efforts to promote human rights at regional and international levels. The continuous joint work among national, regional, and international partners is essential to achieving progress in developing standards of equality and non-discrimination. As countries in the GCC witness transformations in promoting equality and non-discrimination, forums like these provide a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and address the challenges in promoting human rights in the context of migration.
