Amman: HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah underscored the need for establishing specialized units aimed at addressing human rights challenges amidst emerging risks. She emphasized the development of complaint mechanisms and procedures to enhance the effectiveness and readiness of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in tackling new patterns of violations and fostering international cooperation.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Attiyah made these remarks during a consultative meeting organized by the NHRC in Amman, Jordan. The meeting, held from October 21 to 23, focused on training NHRIs in the Arab region to confront emerging challenges. It was conducted in collaboration with the Doha-based Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), the National Centre for Human Rights in Jordan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Al Attiyah highlighted the critical role of NHRIs while noting that global challenges present serious threats to human rights. She pointed out that these evolving issues necessitate innovative solutions, as they contribute to a complex landscape impacting human rights.
She further elaborated on the NHRC’s focus on emerging human rights concerns such as technological advancements, climate change, and business responsibilities. Al Attiyah called for rapid action to improve legislative frameworks to keep pace with these developments and stressed the importance of engaging various stakeholders in formulating relevant policies.
Moreover, Al Attiyah reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to collaborating with partners to enhance the role of NHRIs in the Arab region. She expressed confidence in addressing these challenges effectively and transforming them into opportunities for future generations.
HE Secretary-General of the ANNHRI Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali also addressed the meeting, highlighting the interplay between digital transformations and environmental and social challenges. He emphasized the need for NHRIs and development partners to reassess their tools and expand cooperation to tackle these issues.
Al Jamali noted that digital transformation offers opportunities for enhancing monitoring and accountability but also poses challenges related to privacy and digital divides. He stressed the importance of adopting a holistic, rights-based approach that integrates environmental justice and digital governance within business practices.
Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Human Rights in Jordan, Khaldoun Al Nsour, emphasized the consultative meeting’s goal of strengthening institutional capacity to integrate human rights into digitization and environmental justice. He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing to build institutions capable of protecting rights in a rapidly changing world.