NIHR Participates in GANHRI Annual Conference
The National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR)’s delegation under the chairpersonship of NIHR Vice chairperson Mr. Abdullah Al-Derazi, Head of NIHR Committee on Complaints, Monitoring and Follow-up Ms. Maria Khouri and NIHR’s Acting Secretary-General Mr. Yasser Shaheen, participated in the annual meeting held by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). This year’s conference focuses on Early Warning, Conflict Prevention and Restructuring of Peaceful Communities: the Role of the National Human Rights Institutions.
The meeting was opened by Director of the GANHRI Professor Beate Rudolf. At the beginning, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Zaid Raad spoke at the meeting emphasizing the role played by the national human rights institutions in repelling hatred, protecting human dignity and equality, especially those that operate in conflict and crisis areas. He highlighted the partnership that exists between the High Commissioner and the UN Development Program that aims to secure the implementation of the Ongoing Development Goals 2030 as well as the joint work of the High Commissioner and the GANHRI in order to support the independence of institutions in carrying out their work.
President of the Human Rights Council Mr. Joaquin Martelli also spoke at the meeting stressing the importance of the national human rights institutions work to prevent violations against human rights defenders. The Deputy Regional Director of the UN Development Program for Europe Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky also spoke at the meeting emphasizing the Program’s support to all members in order to achieve a peaceful and equitable society. He further called for the establishment of national human rights bodies in the states that do not yet have any national institutions.
