Doha: HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, held a meeting with HE US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), Jacob McGee. The discussion focused on key human rights issues, including freedom of opinion, expression, and anti-discrimination efforts.

According to Qatar News Agency, Al Attiyah emphasized the NHRC’s longstanding commitment to promoting freedom of opinion and expression as foundational human rights. This commitment is reflected in the NHRC’s participation in numerous international conferences and its efforts to align national legislation with international human rights standards.

One of the NHRC’s operational priorities is addressing trafficking in persons. Al Attiyah highlighted the committee’s role in handling appeals related to trafficking and collaborating with relevant authorities to find legal solutions that consider the humanitarian aspects of each case. The NHRC also plays a crucial role in educating and raising awareness about international agreements on trafficking, such as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons.

Al Attiyah detailed the NHRC’s training initiatives, which target community members, businesses, and students, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour’s National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking. These training sessions cover social and legal awareness, focusing on Qatar’s National Law on Combating Human Trafficking and the principles of Business and Human Rights.

Significant legal amendments were made to the National Law on Combating Human Trafficking in December 2024, according to Al Attiyah. These changes enable prolonged detention of suspects, provide more time for evidence collection, and facilitate victim referrals to shelters and care centers.

Al Attiyah also discussed segments requiring attention under the newly issued Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which aligns with international standards. In November 2025, the NHRC expanded its organizational structure by launching four units dedicated to protecting women’s, children’s, persons with disabilities’, and the elderly’s rights, reinforcing the NHRC’s strategic objectives.

The NHRC is also actively encouraging the ratification of human rights conventions and monitoring compliance with ratified treaties to meet international standards. Al Attiyah underscored Qatar’s commitment to enhancing labor laws and safeguarding workers’ rights in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as evidenced by NHRC’s monitoring activities.