Doha, November 04 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the Naufar Center have jointly organized a panel discussion focusing on the human rights of individuals recovering from substance use disorders, with a primary emphasis on post-treatment care and social reintegration.
The event brought together senior representatives from the Ministries of Interior; Labor; Public Health; Social Development and Family; and Justice, alongside the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau; the Public Prosecution; the Supreme Judiciary Council; the Behavioral Healthcare Center; and the World Health Organization, together with other relevant national institutions.
Discussions centered on Qatar's multi-dimensional strategies to counter global threats associated with drug trafficking and psychotropic substances, which have successfully maintained the country free from major security risks according to relevant international indicators.
On the sidelines of the session, the NHRC and the Naufar Center signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster cooperation across multiple domains. The agreement establishes a framework for exchanging information, legal frameworks, publications, guidelines, and reports concerning human rights, healthcare, and rehabilitation services. It also provides for joint awareness and educational programs designed to promote the right to health, spread human rights awareness, and solidify the principles of human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.
Under the MOU, both entities will collaborate on capacity-building initiatives for professional and administrative staff through training programs and expertise exchanges in legal, health, and rehabilitation fields. The partnership also contributes to developing educational and research programs aligned with the jurisdictions of both organizations, thereby supporting scientific knowledge and refining relevant policies and practices. 
Furthermore, the agreement encompasses the creation of educational materials and guidelines that champion the rights of beneficiaries receiving healthcare and rehabilitation services, alongside community initiatives aimed at fostering social inclusion, eliminating stigma and discrimination, and encouraging the active societal participation of recovering individuals.
Addressing the session, HE Deputy Chairperson of the NHRC, Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari noted that the discussion addressed a critical issue intersecting social, economic, and health dimensions, which necessitates a comprehensive and rigorous approach rooted in international standards. 
He explained that the event falls within the framework of implementing the recommendations of the Fourth National Forum held last January under the theme of human rights at the heart of drug control. 
Dr. Al Kuwari commended the preventive and enforcement measures implemented by the Ministry of Interior and other competent authorities, which have kept Qatar clear of significant international risk indicators.
Emphasizing the rights of recovering individuals, Dr. Al Kuwari firmly rejected social stigma and prejudice, asserting that individuals recovering from substance use disorders retain full rights guaranteed by the permanent constitution, national laws, and international treaties ratified by the state. He highlighted that recovery extends far beyond discharge from a healthcare facility, bringing forth subsequent challenges related to medical follow-up, employment, and family stability. 
He warned that discrimination and exclusion heighten the risk of relapse, waste valuable resources, and impede sustainable recovery, urging the adoption of a comprehensive human rights-based approach to social inclusion that safeguards the rights of recovering individuals to work, education, housing, privacy, and data confidentiality.
For his part, Director-General of the Naufar Center, Dr. Khalifa Jeham Al Kuwari echoed these sentiments, stating that the memorandum of understanding unites the two institutions around a shared goal of safeguarding human dignity, promoting the right to health, and supporting individuals in leading stable, productive lives within their communities. 
He emphasized that respecting human rights is an integral component of quality healthcare, ensuring that every person seeking treatment receives respect, privacy, and tailored care. He noted that the recovery journey involves rebuilding self-confidence, strengthening family bonds, and returning to education and employment, which requires a supportive societal environment. 
He underscored the urgency of combating stigma, noting that fear of societal judgment often delays help-seeking behavior and compounds the suffering of individuals and their families.
HE Secretary-General of the NHRC, Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali outlined the seven key recommendations issued by the participants of the session. These include advancing legislative frameworks and public policies to ensure sustainable recovery and removing barriers to empower recovery ambassadors to integrate effectively into all spheres of life. 
His Excellency added that the recommendations also call for institutionalizing interactive channels for recovery ambassadors by establishing a permanent headquarters to study their challenges and leverage their efforts in awareness and prevention. Additional recommendations prioritize addressing social stigma as an essential gateway to recovery, establishing a joint institutional framework for post-operative care, creating a dedicated fund to support recovering individuals under the supervision of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, ensuring continuous behavioral healthcare and family support, and developing shared metrics to measure recovery sustainability while strictly preserving the confidentiality of medical data. (QNA)