Sydney: HE National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Vice-Chairperson Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari has discussed further human rights cooperation with Australian officials in Sydney. The talks with HE Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) President Hugh de Krester, HE Senior Assistant Ombudsman NSO (Commonwealth Ombudsman) Kate Anderson, and Director of the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) Kieren Fitzpatrick explored potentials for cooperation and expertise-sharing to serve and enhance both sides’ common goals.
According to Qatar News Agency, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was inked between the NHRC and APF to further collaborate on information, legislation, and publications that reflect the nature of their work and competencies, as well as the principles guiding their performance. They will also hold workshops and consultative meetings and interactive dialogues. Under the deal, members of both parties will engage in mutual conferences, seminars, and cultural activities related to the promotion and protection of human rights, and to establish joint research projects and training programs to disseminate a culture of human rights and boost capacity building. There will also be a possibility of creating an e-platform for the exchange of opinions, information, and experiences.
During his meeting with Fitzpatrick, HE Al Kuwari emphasized the importance of cooperation with Australia on human rights and all related aspects, and the development of a framework for cooperation in the field of strengthening and building capacity with relevant authorities in this regard. He highlighted the roles played by the State of Qatar and Australia in maintaining international peace and security, and in mediating to resolve disputes through peaceful means. He commended the two countries’ roles in promoting dialogue among civilizations, tolerance, and coexistence among peoples.
The talks with HE Hugh de Krester culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding expanding cooperation, exchanging official visits, and inviting guests to major events they organize, as well as enhancing joint action in all areas of human rights. The two sides agreed that joint cooperation would include the exchange of expertise in protecting individual rights, developing educational programs, and monitoring human rights regionally and globally. They would also organize joint events to raise awareness of human rights, exchange progress reports, and support legal initiatives that promote human rights in both countries.
HE Al Kuwari said the meeting discussed collaboration to organize joint training programs with the aim of enhancing institutional capabilities and the ability to address human rights issues from a legal and social perspective. He added that this cooperation could include training staff on best practices for handling complaints and resolving disputes. The two parties could also cooperate in overseeing international human rights commitments, work together to enhance the Arab region’s participation in international forums, exchange experiences on how to effectively implement international human rights agreements, and coordinate the submission of joint reports to international bodies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Al Kuwari invited de Krester to participate in the international conference on artificial intelligence and human rights, which the NHRC will organize on May 27 and 28. In another context, during his meeting with HE Anderson, HE Al Kuwari provided an explanation of NHRC’s national, regional, and international efforts, highlighting the most significant developments and updates witnessed in the State of Qatar in the field of human rights. The two sides agreed to cooperate, particularly with regard to receiving complaints and protecting individual rights. This will be achieved by organizing workshops and periodic meetings between the complaints teams of both parties to exchange best practices in methods for receiving and evaluating complaints. They will also explore the possibility of developing a joint procedural guide to enhance efficiency and transparency in handling complaints, and exchanging statistical data on the nature of recurring complaints, which will contribute to mon
itoring trends and proposing preventive policies.