Doha, October 22 (QNA) - The second edition of the Arab Human Rights Moot Court Competition concluded today. Organized by the United Nations Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region in collaboration with the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, the event brought together 48 students from 15 universities across 11 Arab countries.

The competition aimed to raise awareness of human rights issues and develop participants' advocacy and moot court skills in a training environment that simulated real judicial proceedings. It also sought to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in international human rights law through hands-on exercises aligned with relevant international standards.

The competition was open to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students and master's students enrolled in law faculties and human rights programs.

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies noted that this year's edition featured 15 universities from Qatar, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The competition sought to foster the exchange of knowledge and legal expertise among Arab youth while providing an opportunity to engage with human rights issues and related litigation mechanisms.

Director of the United Nations Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region Dr. Abeer Al Khraisha said the competition's second edition reflected an ongoing commitment to engaging young people in human rights issues and providing them with a platform to learn, exchange views, and develop their skills. She added that the edition brought together 15 teams of university students from 11 Arab countries, fostering the exchange of expertise and empowering young people to contribute effectively to promoting a culture of human rights in the region.

Head of the Human Rights Program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Dr. Ayah Randall stated this edition formed part of efforts to link academic knowledge with practical application while strengthening students' legal skills, particularly in legal analysis, argument construction, advocacy, and critical thinking.

She noted that the event offered students a valuable opportunity to simulate litigation proceedings, engage with complex legal and human rights issues, and apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies in a practical, interactive setting, emphasizing that such initiatives help prepare a new generation of Arab human rights professionals capable of using available regional and international mechanisms to defend human rights and uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.

During the closing session, the winning teams were announced. The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies team took first place, while the Cairo University team secured second place. (QNA)