Qatar Confirms Support of International Community Efforts on Human Rights

Doha, November 29 (QNA) - HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said that the State of Qatar and through its membership in the UN Human Rights Council and its membership in other UN and regional organizations, will spare no effort to actively participate in supporting the efforts of the International Community to promote and protect human rights for the benefit of humanity. This came in a speech HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs delivered at the beginning of the second meeting of the annual consultations between the government of Qatar and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which began here on Tuesday and will last for two days. HE Dr. Al-Attiyah said that Qatar attaches great importance to strengthening and developing relations with the UN High Commissioner Office for Human Rights, adding that the Qatari government believes that annual consultative meetings provide a positive environment in supporting these relationships. Strengthening bilateral relations with the UN High Commissioner Office is in line with Qatar's reform policy and strategy for supporting and protecting human rights adopted by the government since HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power in the country, Al-Attiyah stressed. Qatar's hosting of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region contributes to enhance cooperation frameworks, he added. He also hailed the vital and important role played by the UN High Commissioner Office in the light of political changes in the region. Dr. Al-Attiyah reiterated Qatar's continued support for the activities and programs of the center so as to communicate its messages effectively and successfully as well as to achieve its goals. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in his speech welcomed UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-Wha Kang on the occasion of her visit to the country, pointing out that this is her second visit to Doha after the first visit whish was culminated in the signing of the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of Qatar and the UN High Commissioner Office on Qatar's hosting the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region. For her part, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-Wha Kang said that today's meeting is a continuation of an earlier meeting held in Geneva last May during which many issues in supporting workflow were discussed. In her speech, Kang praised Qatar's support for the continued efforts of the UN High Commissioner Office and the country's active role in the Human Rights Council. She also praised Qatar's hosting of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre. She also noted to the achievements made by the UN Centre for Training and Documentation since its opening, saying that the center was able to achieve its commitments, particularly in light of the recent changes in the Arab World. Kang reviewed the efforts made by the UN High Commissioner Office since 2005, which has been doubled thanks to the continued support of the Human Rights Council. She explained that the Commission is working within the UN Organisation, pointing out that the Commission has opened an office in Tunisia, and soon will open an office in Cairo. The Qatari side is chaired in the consultative meeting by HE Director of Human Rights Office at the Foreign Ministry Sheikh Khalid bin Jassim Al Thani, while the Commission was chaired by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-Wha Kang. (QNA)