Doha: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) announced the convention of its fourth national forum titled "Human Rights at the Core of Combating Drugs: Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Solutions," to be held on January 20 and 21, 2026, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior. The forum aims to address growing global challenges and tackle emerging patterns of narcotics-related crimes.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum will convene in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). It will also involve the participation of the Public Prosecution, the National Planning Council, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), alongside relevant UN offices, civil society institutions, and the media.
HE Chairperson of NHRC, Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, stated that drug abuse violations and illicit narcotics trafficking are significant challenges affecting human rights globally, given their impact on the right to life, mental and physical well-being, and the right to a decent standard of living. She emphasized that narcotics adversely affect the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlighted the UN's priority on addressing drug abuse violations and trafficking.
The UN has strengthened global standards to address narcotics risks through four major treaties, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. These treaties form the cornerstone of the international drug control regime. Al Attiyah noted that human rights bodies contribute to developing responsive measures, promoting a human rights-based approach in narcotics policies, and ensuring the rights to health, equality, and non-discrimination.
Regionally, the GCC states prioritize drug enforcement, with the GCC General Secretariat launching the Gulf Anti-Drug Strategy 2025-2028. The Doha-based GCC Criminal Information Center for Drug Control enhances security cooperation among member states in drug enforcement.
Al Attiyah highlighted Qatar's holistic strategy to combat narcotic drugs, involving prevention, awareness, therapy, rehabilitation, law enforcement, and surveillance, aligned with the nation's Permanent Constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030. She emphasized Qatar's model of safety and the absence of risk indicators related to drug use or trafficking.
The forum seeks to bolster a human rights-based approach in legislation and policies and establish a platform for national dialogue among stakeholders to review challenges and measures related to narcotics and psychotropic substance abuse. It aims to explore best practices in drug enforcement at national, regional, and global levels.