Qatar Keen on Supporting UNHCR's Activities - Envoy

Geneva, March 05 (QNA) -The State of Qatar has underlined determination to promote and develop its relations with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, noting in this regard that these relationships resulted in the setting up of the United Nations Centre for Training and Documentation in the field of human rights for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in Doha. This came in a speech delivered by HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, before the 19th regular session of the Human Rights Council, under item No. (2), entitled the "Annual Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. " HE the Ambassador Sheikha Aliya stressed that the United Nations Centre in Doha plays a vital role, especially in the current circumstances, in the field of capacity building and the protection and promotion of human rights in the Arab region, expressing hope for the continued support of UNHCR's activities and programs of the Centre so as to lead its desired mission and be able to achieve its objectives to the fullest, especially in light of the changes that have occurred recently in the Arab world. She underscored that Qatar attaches great importance to all the thematic priorities of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and its efforts to realize them, and in particular the right to development, and combating all forms of discrimination. In this regard, HE Ambassador Sheikha Aliya said: "As we emphasize the importance of all international and regional initiatives to combat discrimination and to promote compatibility between the religions, we express again our deep regret the burning a copy of the holy Koran by group of extremists as shameful, and guilty act" She said. (QNA)