Qatar Reiterates Support for Human Rights Protection Efforts

New York, October 24 (QNA) - Qatar confirmed that it will spare no effort to contribute effectively to the international community's efforts geared to promoting and protecting human rights, through its membership in the Human Rights Council, and other UN organizations and regional organizations. Asmaa Naji Al-Amri, First Secretary at the Department of American Affairs at Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is also Member of Qatar's delegation, made the remarks as she addressed the Third Committee in the UN 67th General Assembly on the item 69 titled "Promotion and Protection of Human Rights." Al-Amri noted that economic, social and political changes during turn of the millennium led to increased interest in human rights issues, as an integral part of sustainable development in the country. "The keenness of the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on protecting the humanitarian ingredients of the Qatari society stemmed from the provisions of the Qatari constitution, which guarantees rights and freedoms in conformity with the standards of international human rights." Speaking about the steps taken by the State of Qatar on the promotion and respect for human rights, she pointed to the issuance of amendments to the Qatari penal code to go in line with the country's commitment to the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the "Torture Convention"), which Qatar has joined. Al-Amri added that Qatar celebrates the National Day of Human Rights every year on November 11 "as one of the national events that characterizes the march of the country," stressing that celebrating such an occasion is a proof of the care and attention given by HH the Emir to promote, protect and enrich human rights as an integral part of the country's identity and culture. Asmaa Naji Al-Amri, meantime mentioned the foundation of several entities concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights both at governmental and non-governmental levels. At the governmental level, Al-Amri said, the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior was created, in addition to a Human Rights office at each of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Labor and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The first Secretary at the Department of American Affairs at Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that at non-governmental level, the National Commission for Human Rights, the Qatar Foundation for Child and Women Protection, and the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking were all established, in addition to Silatech, which aims to develop the economic situation of young people in the Arab region, and Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), which strives to provide education for everyone in Asia. As for Qatar's reform policy and growing interest in promoting and protecting human rights, she highlighted Qatar's hosting of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, which was created under the General Assembly Resolution 60/153 and opened in May 2009. The Qatari representative noted that the center holds training activities and regional consultations on United Nations mechanisms for human rights, human trafficking, and media and education in the field of human rights. She added the center also supports the efforts of governments, United Nations agencies and programs, national human rights institutions, and non-governmental organizations within the region. (QNA)