MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC), finished preparing its file to apply for Category 'A' in the classification of the UN Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
Oman’s application will be reviewed by the Office of the International Accreditation Commission in October 2023, so that the same application could be considered for endorsement by March 2023.
Revealing this during Human Rights Institutions Forum, Shaikh Abdullah bin Shuwain al Hosni, Chairman of OHRC, said that the approval of Oman’s application is bound with the country’s ratification of basic (human rights) agreements and its commitment to Paris Principles (principles pertaining to the status of national human rights institutions).
The activities of the 2-day forum, organised by OHRC in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, began on Tuesday under the auspices of Shaikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, President of the State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution.
Shaikh Al Hosni highlighted that the primary objective behind this forum is to strengthen collaboration and underscore the realisation of shared goals among human rights institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the General Secretariat of the Council. This endeavour is dedicated to advancing human rights and fostering the development of the necessary mechanisms and strategies to achieve them.
He further noted that hosting this forum serves as a reaffirmation of the commitment to adhere to the goals of the United Nations, the Paris Principles, international agreements, and human rights laws. This commitment is upheld through the continuous efforts of Gulf human rights institutions and the General Secretariat of the Council to enhance all aspects and methodologies within this field by collaborating and coordinating with governmental and societal entities.
He emphasised the importance of organising gatherings and conferences of this nature that unite officials, experts and specialists in human rights. These events enrich knowledge, promote awareness and support initiatives to achieve these vital principles, objectives and foundations.
In his speech, Mohammed al Nasoor, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Commission, commended the positive developments in the establishment of a common human rights strategy for the GCC countries and the completion of the establishment of human rights institutions in accordance with international standards known as the Paris Principles. This represents a practical implementation of one of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 16, which calls on countries to establish independent and robust institutions that serve the rule of law and safeguard the rights of citizens.
He expressed his hope that the partnership efforts with the General Secretariat of the GCC would lead to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat and the Commission in the coming weeks. He added that the idea of signing a memorandum of technical cooperation by the GCC reflects the member states' commitment to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights values and their efforts to promote and protect the rights of citizens and residents alike.
He pointed out that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Paris Principles Declaration, which established national human rights institutions and their evaluation. Over the past decade, the significance of these national institutions has increased as they serve as a bridge between governmental entities and civil society, particularly in addressing imbalances and obstacles in citizens' enjoyment of their rights and freedoms. They also advise governments in a manner that serves societal security and ensures compliance with international human rights law.
Ambassador Mohammed bin Rashid al Suwaidi, Human Rights Adviser at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, praised the role of national human rights institutions in the GCC countries despite their differing titles in each country. He described them as a prominent qualitative leap witnessed by the Gulf states and one of many noble initiatives by the Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council's countries, to develop mechanisms, legislation, regulations and procedures that enhance fundamental rights and freedoms in Gulf societies.
He stated that human rights and sustainable development are complementary and integrated processes, where each aspect strengthens the other. National human rights institutions play a crucial role in implementing sustainable development goals at the national level by aligning legislation and policies, overcoming challenges, building capacities and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve these objectives. He emphasised the need for these institutions to activate these goals by integrating them into national human rights plans and creating timely programmes and activities for their implementation.
He called on national human rights institutions in the Gulf Arab countries to closely examine future concerns that affect human rights, such as artificial intelligence and its impact on privacy and digital rights, as well as the right to work, among other negative social and cultural effects. He stressed the collective need to establish appropriate laws, regulations and agreements at the international, regional and national levels to strike a proper balance between protecting rights and technological progress and innovation.
This commitment is upheld through the continuous efforts of Gulf human rights institutions and the General Secretariat of the Council to enhance all aspects and methodologies within this field by collaborating and coordinating with governmental and societal entities.
He emphasised the importance of organising gatherings and conferences of this nature that unite officials, experts and specialists in human rights. These events enrich knowledge, promote awareness and support initiatives to achieve these vital principles, objectives and foundations.
In his speech, Mohammed al Nasoor, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Commission, commended the positive developments in the establishment of a common human rights strategy for the GCC countries and the completion of the establishment of human rights institutions in accordance with international standards known as the Paris Principles. This represents a practical implementation of one of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 16, which calls on countries to establish independent and robust institutions that serve the rule of law and safeguard the rights of citizens.
He expressed his hope that the partnership efforts with the General Secretariat of the GCC would lead to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat and the Commission in the coming weeks. He added that the idea of signing a memorandum of technical cooperation by the GCC reflects the member states’ commitment to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights values and their efforts to promote and protect the rights of citizens and residents alike.
He pointed out that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Paris Principles Declaration, which established national human rights institutions and their evaluation. Over the past decade, the significance of these national institutions has increased as they serve as a bridge between governmental entities and civil society, particularly in addressing imbalances and obstacles in citizens’ enjoyment of their rights and freedoms. They also advise governments in a manner that serves societal security and ensures compliance with international human rights law.
Ambassador Mohammed bin Rashid al Suwaidi, Human Rights Adviser at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, praised the role of national human rights institutions in the GCC countries despite their differing titles in each country. He described them as a prominent qualitative leap witnessed by the Gulf states and one of many noble initiatives by the Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council’s countries, to develop mechanisms, legislation, regulations and procedures that enhance fundamental rights and freedoms in Gulf societies.
He stated that human rights and sustainable development are complementary and integrated processes, where each aspect strengthens the other. National human rights institutions play a crucial role in implementing sustainable development goals at the national level by aligning legislation and policies, overcoming challenges, building capacities and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve these objectives. He emphasised the need for these institutions to activate these goals by integrating them into national human rights plans and creating timely programmes and activities for their implementation.
He called on national human rights institutions in the Gulf Arab countries to closely examine future concerns that affect human rights, such as artificial intelligence and its impact on privacy and digital rights, as well as the right to work, among other negative social and cultural effects. He stressed the collective need to establish appropriate laws, regulations and agreements at the international, regional and national levels to strike a proper balance between protecting rights and technological progress and innovation.
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