Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari (centre) with other officials and guests during the event.
Doha, Qatar: Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari has lauded the advanced provisions of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, and many of the State’s legislation and public policies for preventing all forms of racial discrimination and protecting people from all forms of human trafficking, including the establishment of strong and effective institutions to ensure the implementation of laws and policies.
He noted that NHRC played a pivotal role in organising conferences, forums, seminars and discussion panels on many issues related to the theme of today’s celebration, in addition to participating in the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogues on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Al Kuwari affirmed his determination to continue monitoring developments and providing insights to bridge any emerging gaps in both law and practice, and to continue efforts to strengthen and develop regional and international standards and encourage the exchange of experiences and best practices.
This came during a regional forum organised by NHRC at the Bin Jelmood House Museum to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The forum was held in partnership with the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, in cooperation with the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa and Bin Jelmood House.
Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, based in Doha, H E Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, said: “Today we commemorate the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, reflecting our support, alignment, and engagement with the global march of human rights defenders, both organizations and individuals, to achieve justice and human dignity, and to think together to combat the types and forms of ancient slavery, as well as the new types and forms of slavery and discrimination in the modern era, to develop proposals that enhance human dignity to build a more just and equal future.”
General Manager of Msheireb Museums Abdulla Al Naama, said: “This celebration is a moment to reaffirm our collective responsibility to eliminate discrimination and build a future based on justice, equality, and solidarity for all.”
He added: “We at Msheireb Museums affirm our commitment to a world free of racial bias,” noting that Bin Jelmood House is the only museum in the world dedicated to the story of slavery and highlights the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
Bushra Elias, speaking on behalf of Mazen Shaqoura, Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the commemoration of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day are not just a moment to reflect on the past, but an opportunity for collective action for the present and the future.
