Ankara, January 25 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) signed a cooperation agreement with the Ombudsman Office of the Republic of Turkiye with the aim of supporting cooperation and strengthening partnership between the two parties, through utilizing the expertise and capabilities available to them, to achieve a sustainable and effective response to all humanitarian and human rights activities within the competence of the parties.

The agreement was signed by HE Chairperson of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah and HE Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye Mehmet Akarca.

The NHRC said in a statement today that the agreement aims to intensify joint cooperation and develop strategies and action plans for each party, as well as the exchange of technical and institutional experiences between them, adding that the agreement stipulated that the parties, in compliance with the rules, regulations and directives in force in their countries, should cooperate to achieve common goals and visions in the areas of strengthening the national legislative framework in accordance with international agreements, participating in training programs on human rights issues, conducting joint research, as well as conducting information and awareness-raising activities of common interest, and enhancing coordination between the parties to facilitate the implementation of their countries' international obligations in the field of human rights.

The statement explained that the agreement agreed that the implementation of cooperation between the parties should include the exchange of Information, laws and legislations, analytical materials and literature in the field of promoting and protecting human rights, as well as the exchange of experiences in the implementation of the parties' international obligations in the field of human rights, assistance in human rights issues and freedoms for citizens of the Republic of Turkiye in the State of Qatar, and citizens of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Turkiye in addition to mutual assistance in the field of promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms for citizens of both countries, in accordance with the competencies of the parties.

NHRC added that the agreement also covers the implementation of joint programs and projects aimed at conducting research on the protection of human rights and freedoms, and meeting mutual invitations to conferences, workshops, meetings, and other activities organized by the parties on the promotion and protection of human rights, pointing out that the agreement included organizing joint activities at the level of international organizations and networks of national human rights institutions, planning mutual visits, organizing training programs and workshops, holding international conferences and seminars, round tables and training courses on human rights issues, as well as preparing and publishing joint publications on issues of promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms, holding regular bilateral consultations on the promotion and protection of human rights, and assistance in developing communication with civil society institutions in Qatar and Turkiye.

In a related context, HE Chairperson of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, during her meeting with HE Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye Mehmet Akarca, reviewed the joint efforts between the committee and the office, noting that the agreement between the two parties will ensure the continuation of cooperation and building an effective partnership, expressing pride of cooperation with the Turkish Ombudsman, and confirming keenness to continue and develop cooperation in various fields of mutual interest.

She added that Turkiye is one of the leading countries in the field of legislation related to women's rights, as it has signed the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as well as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, in addition, it has amended its constitution and laws to ensure the protection and promotion of women's rights in various fields, noting that the State of Qatar has also ratified the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women, adding that it pays great attention to the development of the human rights situation of women, and the promotion of their rights.

During the meeting, HE Al Attiyah proposed organizing a joint training course focused on countering domestic violence and combating violence against women, with the aim of exchanging experiences and effective legislation between the two countries, enhancing awareness about ways to protect women from violence, supporting the capabilities of professionals working in this field, as well as organizing a second specialized event highlighting these topics, to exchange knowledge and enhance dialogue on justice and human rights issues, expressing her aspiration that this event will be an opportunity to provide new insights by discussing ways to promote justice and human rights in the context of contemporary legal issues.

She provided an overview of the NHRC in terms of its origin and mechanisms of work in human rights awareness and education, methods of receiving complaints, visits and monitoring, as well as providing an overview of the most important features of the strategic plan of the NHRC 2024-2030. 

HE Chairperson of NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah gave an explanation about the Committee's interaction at the international level in terms of its leadership of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and as the first woman at the level of the Asian continent and the Arab region to chair the GANHRI, saying that the Committee was able to obtain observer status in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, conclude an agreement with the European Union to organize joint cooperation, in addition to leading the Committee's efforts to develop standards for the protection of human rights through holding a number of conferences and activities on climate change, its participation in a number of activities on various topics in a number of countries around the world, and its close partnerships with various actors in the field of human rights globally.

She added that the Committee has led the coalition's efforts in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Palestine, and has had an active role in terms of closer links between international institutions, international officials and the GANHRI.

Relatedly, HE Chairperson of NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah also met with HE Advisor to the Turkish President and former Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye Seref Malkoc, where Al Attiyah stressed the Committee's full readiness to cooperate with all governmental, national and non-governmental mechanisms and institutions concerned with human rights in Turkiye through the exchange of experiences, expertise and best practices.

Her Excellency stressed the importance of cooperation with Turkiye in the field of human rights, and the design of a framework for cooperation in the field of strengthening and capacity-building with the concerned authorities, noting the readiness of the NHRC to establish partnerships with a number of Turkish institutions concerned with human rights, and work on the exchange of experiences and expertise in various related topics.

She also called for the cooperation on strengthening the role of legislative bodies and human rights institutions, through holding meetings, workshops and exchanging experiences, including work on holding conferences and seminars, and preparing studies and research.

Al Attiyah expressed her pride in the convergence of the roles played by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye in maintaining international peace and security, as well as in mediation for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the roles of the two brotherly countries in promoting dialogue of civilizations, tolerance and coexistence among peoples, and supporting the efforts of peaceful processes to end armed conflicts suffered by a number of regions of the world, which have led to serious effects on the human rights situation in these countries.

During the meeting, she reviewed the human rights challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in light of the continuation of the policy of double standards and the continuation of impunity, pointing to the efforts exerted by the NHRC and the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) in this regard, through communication with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and communication with other international officials with a view to ending the violations suffered by the Palestinian people. (QNA)