GANHRI Chairperson H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah Al Attiyah addressing the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in Geneva.
Doha, Qatar: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), chaired by H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), called on all UN member states to ensure the consistent application of international law, to ensure meaningful dialogue and effective cooperation.
Al Attiyah said, “Now is the time for global leadership to protect our present and future generations form the radical and profound transformations that the world is witnessing today.”
“We are facing direct and unprecedented challenges that shake the foundations of the multilateral system and target the foundations of international law, which has always been an edifice for all of humanity. These challenges touch on the essence of our values and the principles on which our international institutions were built,” She added.
Al Attiyah was speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. She said, “We meet in the next two days as national human rights institutions from all over the world, united under the banner of the global human rights system, with our partners from the United Nations and civil society.”
“We have a unique opportunity to renew our ongoing calls for global leadership to remain steadfast in supporting the universal principles of international law, which unite us and enable us to confront crises with one spirit and shared determination,” said Al Attiyah. She stressed that the complex, urgent, and interconnected challenges facing the world today, including humanitarian disasters, climate change, discrimination, and conflicts, cannot be addressed with collective efforts.
“These challenges must be addressed through strengthening dialogue and cooperation, while firmly adhering to international law,” said Al Attiyah.
She added that in this difficult time, unity and a shared commitment to human rights have become more important than ever. “This year’s session of the annual conference is dedicated to the topic of women’s and girls’ rights, gender equality, and the role of national human rights institutions, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,” said Al Attiyah.
She noted that despite the significant progress achieved in promoting and consolidating the rights of women and girls, there is still much to be done to ensure that everyone enjoys their rights equally and that no one is left behind.
“The most worrying development is that hard-won gains in women’s rights are under attack in a variety of areas. I am certain that the time we spend together will strengthen our determination and ability to work,” said Al Attiyah. Lauding the fundamental role of national human rights institutions in protecting and promoting human rights in societies, she said that it is a noble mission undertaken by national institutions and can only be achieved through mutual support, understanding, and collective action.
“Let us continue together our journey towards achieving our shared vision of building a world in which basic rights are respected and the dignity of every human being is preserved, and in which this becomes a reality on the ground, and let us make the coming days a new starting point for more renewed work and continuous commitment,” said Al Attiyah.
