Geneva: The State of Qatar concluded its discussion of its combined report covering the second to fourth periodic reports on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, during the interactive dialogue with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held in Geneva on Aug. 12 and 13.
In the concluding statement, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to the Chair and members of the Committee for the constructive and objective dialogue held during the discussion, commending the contributions of representatives of national entities and non-governmental organizations, the technical bodies of the United Nations in Geneva, interpreters, and all those who contributed to facilitating and enriching the dialogue.
Her Excellency affirmed that dialogue and the exchange of views and experiences constitute an important foundation for achieving the desired progress in the field of human rights, noting that the interactive dialogue represents a valuable opportunity to build bridges of understanding and international cooperation, and to exchange expertise and best practices, contributing to safeguarding human dignity and achieving justice and comprehensive and sustainable development.
She explained that the State of Qatar will benefit from the outcomes of the dialogue, the concluding observations and the recommendations to be issued by the Committee in continuing to develop its relevant legislation, policies and national programs concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, in accordance with a human rights-based approach grounded in respect for human dignity, equality and nondiscrimination, full and effective participation, accessibility, transparency and accountability.
Her Excellency renewed her affirmation that the State of Qatar places the promotion, protection and realization of human rights at the forefront of its priorities, considering them a fundamental pillar of the comprehensive reform and development efforts pursued by the State.
She noted that cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms complements the State's national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and to consolidate their values and principles.
In this context, HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations Training and Documentation Center for Human Rights for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, to develop training and awareness programs targeting various national entities, thereby contributing to raising awareness of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, supporting the development of the national capacities necessary for its implementation, and mainstreaming the disability perspective into legislation, policies, programs and public services.
Her Excellency called on the Committee's experts to benefit from the knowledge and expertise gained from the experiences of States, while taking into account the differences in their legal systems, policies and national specificities, and to reflect this diversity in the Committee's work, including when preparing general comments and guidelines that assist States Parties in understanding, interpreting and implementing the provisions of the Convention.
In this regard, she affirmed that promoting and protecting human rights can be achieved through the exchange of positive and diverse models and experiences.
Her Excellency concluded by affirming the State of Qatar's belief that international cooperation represents the optimal means of achieving sustainable progress in the field of human rights, expressing its aspiration to continue working with the Committee, the international community, non-governmental organizations and all other stakeholders, and to move forward in a spirit of international cooperation and solidarity to address challenges that threaten human rights and ensure that no one is left behind.
