NHRC chief highlights need for global alliance on human rights

Doha: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah affirmed that the United Nations could fully rely on GANHRI and on national institutions in all regions to speak with one unified voice on human rights. 

This came during a meeting between Al Attiyah and Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the UN Headquarters in New York. 

During the meeting, Al Attiyah said: “We have recently demonstrated at the Human Rights Council in Geneva how our collective call, through our members in different parts of the world, can have a direct and positive impact on the positions of states globally.”

At the same time, she emphasised that the national human rights institutions depend very much on the strength of the UN. She commended the leadership of the UN in times of great difficulty for human rights and human rights institutions. She thanked the UN for supporting strong and independent national human rights institutions in full accordance with the Paris Principles. 

She said: “The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions is working hard to address some of today’s pressing challenges. This year we launched the Global Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders and Civic Space prepared by GANHRI.” 

She explained that the global coalition is working to build the capacity of its members to address the effects of climate change on human rights and to strengthen its position worldwide. Al Attiyah noted that the Global Alliance continues to work with the UN, partners and civil society to strengthen national human rights institutions worldwide in line with the Paris Principles and as an indicator within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure that member NHRIs are well-equipped and has the mandate, authority, resources and institutional capabilities to address today’s many challenges. 

Al Attiyah called on the UN Secretary-General to consider developing a strategy on national human rights institutions in partnership with GANHRI to promote a public narrative that supports strong and independent national human rights institutions in all regions.  She noted that promoting this strategy may include organising a high-level event in December 2023 to celebrate the adoption of the Paris Principles by the General Assembly 30 years ago.