Doha, January 21 (QNA) - The 4th National Human Rights Forum, organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior under the theme "Human Rights at the Heart of Drug Control: Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Solutions," concluded Wednesday.

The forum was held in cooperation with the Ministries of Social Development and Family, Education and Higher Education, and Public Health, with the participation of the Public Prosecution, the National Planning Council, the National Cyber Security Agency, the GCC Criminal Information Center to Combat Drugs, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and other relevant official bodies, in addition to the participation of specialized UN offices, civil society, and the media.

In this context, HE NHRC Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah affirmed that the 4th National Human Rights Forum laid a practical foundation for a new phase based on moving from recommendations to implementation, and from vision to tangible impact.

In press statements on the occasion of the forum's conclusion, Her Excellency said the outcomes of the forum represent an integrated national framework for combating drugs from a human rights-based perspective, balancing firmness in confrontation with humanity in treatment, strengthening prevention, consolidating rehabilitation and reintegration approaches, and preserving human dignity across all policies and measures.

She stressed that the true value of these outcomes lies in translating them into implementable programs, measurable mechanisms, and policies capable of responding to the evolving challenges of drug-related crimes, in a manner that protects society and safeguards the right to a safe and dignified life.

Al Attiyah pointed out that the forum recommended the launch of a permanent national platform, in partnership with the National Committee to Combat Drugs, bringing together representatives of all forum partners from governmental and international entities, civil society institutions, experts, and youth. The platform would serve as an institutional framework to follow up on the implementation of recommendations and ensure the sustainability of their impact.

She said the success of any national drug control policy is contingent upon embedding human rights at its core and ensuring effective partnership in implementation and follow-up.

At the forum's closing session, HE NHRC Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jammali read out the final statement, noting that participants highly valued the role of the State of Qatar and its efforts in combating drugs, as well as in promoting rehabilitation and reintegration approaches.

His Excellency stated that while expressing their deep concern over indicators of global escalation, including the emergence of new types of drugs and the growth of organized trafficking networks, and the resulting serious impacts on human rights and the security and safety of societies, participants commend the pivotal roles played by the Ministry of Interior, the efforts exerted by ministries and entities concerned with prevention, control, rehabilitation, and reintegration, and welcome the legislative measures and public policies adopted by the State of Qatar to combat this devastating scourge.

He explained that forum participants reached a number of recommendations, most notably the need for continuous development of legislation and public policies related to combating drugs and psychotropic substances, to ensure their responsiveness and flexibility in addressing emerging forms and evolving methods of cross-border drug crimes; working toward the development of a national drug control index based on a human rights approach; and adopting a national data governance system to ensure data exchange among relevant authorities.

Al Jammali added that the recommendations called for adopting innovative approaches to rehabilitation and social reintegration, and treating drug users and addicts as victims, alongside governance of health policies and programs to ensure the sustainability of recovery.

The recommendations also stressed the importance of establishing a national fund to support and empower victims of drugs, with the aim of expanding post-care services, providing continuous psychological support, and backing economic empowerment pathways for those in recovery, to guarantee their full reintegration into the fabric of society, including facilitating their integration into employment and the labor market.

He pointed out that participants in the forum recommended entrenching human rights principles within prevention, control, rehabilitation, and social reintegration measures, and called on the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to draft a national code of guiding principles to ensure respect for human rights in the context of combating drugs.

He further explained that the recommendations included the preparation and implementation of ongoing awareness campaigns, training courses, workshops, and art exhibitions, in partnership between the NHRC, the Ministry of Interior, and other competent authorities, to enhance societal awareness.

The focus would be on developing awareness channels and designing purposeful media messages to eliminate stigma and build bridges of trust, alongside calls to adopt innovative financial policies to strengthen transparency and accountability, and to redirect resources generated from related penalties towards prevention, treatment, and reintegration programs.

HE the NHRC Secretary-General clarified that participants called for activating the social responsibility of the private sector by supporting and financing vocational rehabilitation projects for those in recovery, and encouraging companies to provide job opportunities for them according to specified ratios, as a safeguard against relapse and to achieve economic independence for victims.

His Excellency noted that the recommendations underscored the importance of developing educational curricula and activities, including the integration of life skills that enhance resilience and rejection of drug use and addiction, and empowering educational institutions with tools for early detection of indicators of drug use.

They also encouraged innovation and scientific research in the fields of prevention, control, and rehabilitation, and the development of digital safety mechanisms in cooperation with the competent authorities, thereby strengthening proactive responses to methods of targeting and promoting drugs in the digital space.

He added that the recommendations called for strengthening mechanisms of international and regional cooperation, particularly in law enforcement and the judiciary, enhancing the exchange of information and expertise, and activating bilateral and multilateral agreements to pursue cross-border criminal networks.

They also emphasized strengthening technical partnerships with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and relevant regional mechanisms, to ensure the integration of efforts in confronting this scourge.

HE Sultan bin Hassan Al Jammali said that while commending the participatory approach embodied in Cabinet Decision No. (40) of 2017, as amended by Cabinet Decision No. (13) of 2022, concerning the establishment of the National Committee to Combat Drugs, participants recommended consolidating this approach by integrating the NHRC, civil society organizations, and youth representatives into its work, in order to achieve integrated visions and lay the foundations for an effective national partnership to confront this scourge, establish a permanent awareness platform, and activate and monitor the implementation of the forum's outcomes to ensure the sustainability of its impact and to follow up on emerging challenges.

In concluding his remarks, His Excellency added that participants in the forum affirm their commitment to working towards the implementation of its recommendations, as a reflection of adherence to the principles of the Permanent Constitution of the State, in fulfillment of the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, in compliance with relevant international obligations, in defense of human dignity, the right to a safe and dignified life, and in protection of society from the dangers of drugs. (QNA)