London: HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah conducted a series of meetings in London, engaging with British officials and parliamentarians to explore cooperation and share expertise in human rights protection.
According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency met with several key figures including HE Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) John Kirkpatrick, HE Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) Elisabeth Davies, and the UK’s Special Envoy for Women and Girls’ Affairs, Baroness Harriet Harman. During these meetings, the NHRC Chairperson highlighted the importance of exchanging expertise and forming partnerships, particularly in handling complaints, addressing discrimination, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, and migrants.
Her Excellency underscored the need for collaboration with the British Commission in evolving international human rights standards through events like international seminars and conferences, joint research, and data exchange, aimed at bolstering the protection and promotion of human rights. She advocated for a structured collaboration between the NHRC and the British Ombudsman to develop a joint vision for regional and international engagement, emphasizing the potential for joint activities on mutual concerns.
The discussions also touched on global human rights issues, with a focus on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Her Excellency called for a global stance to address the humanitarian crisis and praised the European approach supporting the recognition of the State of Palestine, highlighting the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s stance as a pivotal step towards Middle Eastern stability.
In her meeting with HE Elisabeth Davies, discussions revolved around complaint mechanisms to ensure justice, with an emphasis on leveraging the Ombudsman’s expertise in dispute resolution to formulate staff training programs. The meeting also explored joint research on legal challenges faced by individuals and proposed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration on prison education programs and prisoner reintegration projects.
HE Maryam Al Attiyah’s meeting with Baroness Harriet Harman focused on the NHRC’s role in promoting women’s rights in Qatar, highlighting national efforts and international partnerships that empower women. Discussions included opportunities for joint programs to support women’s education and political participation, and initiatives aiding women in conflict zones.
The meetings concluded with a shared interest in strengthening international networks for women leaders, addressing global challenges, and ensuring educational access for girls in vulnerable regions.