NHRC celebrates Qatar Human Rights Day

In statement, Secretary General of NHRC Sultan Hassan al-Jamali said that the celebration marking Qatar Human Rights Day is a continuation of the State's path towards consolidating and promoting human rights, and that it comes within the framework of a new stage of giving, and an extension of the committee's approach that is characterised by independence, pointing out that this year's celebration came days after the Global Alliance renewed the approval of the committee's (A) classification which is an indication of its independence, and confirms that the approach it is taking is one of the main reasons for its stability at the top of the classification of national institutions for 15 years.Al-Jamali said this occasion comes in light of the state's achievement of an important democratic entitlement represented in the holding of the Shura Council elections, which is one of the most important pillars of the right of expression, saying, "We appreciate this step, which opens the door wide for many achievements in all areas of human rights." He stressed that the celebration of Qatar Human Rights, which coincides with the anniversary of its founding on November 11, 2002, reflects Qatar's appreciation and support for human rights principles, its work to build and promote a culture of human rights, its keenness and constant quest to improve conditions and develop their political, economic and legislative systems and bodies.He noted the openness of Qatar to developing its legislation to ensure the observance of human rights, especially of the most vulnerable groups, and labor market reforms that included Law No.(17) of 2020 regarding setting the minimum wage for workers and domestic servants, and Decree-Law No.(19) of 2020 amending some Provisions of Law No.(21) of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residence of expatriates, which was considered a major positive step to agree on human rights principles related to the right to change work, allowing employees to change their workplace freely, limiting working hours in open places during the summer period, and establishing a workers support fund and securing them to guarantee them care, and provide them with their rights, in addition to a healthy and safe work environment.He also pointed to the importance of the recently launched unified platform for complaints and reports, which enables citizens, expatriates and establishments to report a labour violation such as a labor gathering, inappropriate labor accommodation, or explicit violations at the workplace against the entities subject to the provisions of the Qatari Labor Law and the Domestic Workers Law.The NHRC Secretary-General praised the state's efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic by making the vaccine available to everyone free of charge and without discrimination, which falls within the State's implementation of the right to health and giving priority to the elderly who are among the most vulnerable groups, stressing that the pandemic that cast shadow over the various aspects of human activity in the world and re-emphasized the guarantee of the rights of the workers segment among the most favored groups.Al Jamali added: "Human rights are inherent rights in Qatari society and part of the human values established by the tolerant Islamic Sharia and Qatari legislations, especially the Permanent Constitution of Qatar."He also pointed out that in the context of spreading awareness and education on human rights and freedoms and consolidating their principles at the levels of thought and practice, the committee will hold a series of activities during the month of November on the occasion of Qatar Human Rights Day, starting with a seminar at Qatar University Health Center for employees and patients as well as training for Msheireb Real Estate Foundation's employees.The seminars and training courses will continue over the next two weeks to include seminars and training lectures for the leaders and employees of Hamad International Airport in two separate courses, in addition to the schools campaign that will start on November 21 and continue until November 25.