Deputy Chairperson of the NHRC, Dr. Mohammad bin Saif Al Kuwari signs a copy of the book.
Doha, Qatar: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) yesterday launched a book on human rights to a healthy environment, highlighting the protection of the environment. The book studies the connection between environmental issues and respect and protection of human rights by clarifying the standards and principles governing the right to the environment and the approaches to achieve this from a human rights perspective.
The book Protecting the Right to a Sound Environment in the State of Qatar...a Legal and Practical Study addresses the Qatari legal system’s provision to protect the right to the environment by studying the constitutionalisation of this right.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Deputy Chairperson of the NHRC, Dr. Mohammad bin Saif Al Kuwari, said the book is the first in the Middle East to tackle legal aspects of environmental rights compared to other literature which deals with technical topics.
“We are focusing on the legal right of the environment, and many laws and regulations used in this field need development. The challenges today, from the environment to climate change and the rise in temperature, floods, desertification, and droughts, must be addressed. That is why we decided to hold this book launch here at the Expo 2023 because it goes with the theme, ‘Green Desert and Better environment,’” Dr. Al Kuwari said.
He added that the book contains much information and data about international laws and regulations and complies with regional and national principles. Dr. Al Kuwari stressed that the book is also a message to ministries, private sectors and organisations to utilise the information and data to enhance their policies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Al Kuwari said experts at a panel session recommend that more awareness must be carried out on these laws and establish sustainable frameworks to guide the implementation of these regulations. He said the public should be educated through seminars, conferences, and activities that involve them to understand if the laws are being followed, the logic of the public relating to the laws and recommendations on how they can be improved.
“It’s not enough just to choose these laws; we need to educate the people on how they can use these regulations. Another recommendation in the discussion is to establish special courts for the environment. I think it is very important now to do that. Also, establishing a society for the environment is essential to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, data, and information about human and environmental rights,” he added.
