Geneva: President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah underscored the serious challenges facing national human rights institutions worldwide.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Attiyah highlighted the findings of a survey conducted by GANHRI last year, which pointed to grave threats against staff of these institutions and human rights defenders. In her speech during the opening of the GANHRI General Assembly at the United Nations Office in Geneva, she detailed the various violations reported by national institutions, including arbitrary arrest, detention, prosecution, harassment campaigns, intimidation, defamation, kidnappings, and threats of physical harm. She noted the restrictions on freedom of expression, budget cuts, and the introduction of restrictive laws, in addition to acts of intimidation and retaliation linked to their cooperation with the United Nations or regional human rights mechanisms.
The report by GANHRI on reprisals includes recommendations aimed at addressing these threats. These recommendations focus on building capacity for staff and defenders, enhancing regional and international cooperation, and forming strategic partnerships with human rights partners. Al Attiyah emphasized the need for concrete support and protection for members of national human rights institutions, stressing the importance of partnerships and cooperation for safeguarding these institutions so they can effectively defend human rights.
She further mentioned GANHRI's efforts to strengthen ties with UN bodies, supporting the implementation of the Kyiv-Copenhagen Declaration, and enhancing the role of national institutions in preventing and combating torture and ill-treatment. This includes collaborations with the Committee Against Torture and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, as well as a webinar series organized with the Association for the Prevention of Torture.
Al Attiyah addressed women's rights and the rights of persons with disabilities, noting persistent poverty among women and the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence, despite the commitments made in the Beijing Declaration. She pointed out the insufficient justice and compensation for victims, emphasizing the principle of equality and freedom for all human beings.
She also mentioned that the annual GANHRI conference provides a platform to discuss experiences, identify best practices, and agree on a strong outcome statement for a better future. Al Attiyah highlighted the ongoing marginalization and exclusion of persons with disabilities, despite the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities nearly two decades ago.
Al Attiyah reiterated that national human rights institutions serve as a refuge for individuals seeking support and protection. GANHRI aims to empower these institutions to function effectively in line with the Paris Principles and contribute to global advocacy for human rights. She remarked on the catastrophic impact of wars and conflicts, emphasizing the role of national institutions in assisting victims and monitoring violations.
Al Attiyah concluded by addressing the exploitation of societal anxiety and fear by political leaders in some countries, which fuels internal conflicts and sows division. She recognized the role of national human rights institutions in combatting bias, discrimination, and misinformation through evidence-based advocacy and education, acknowledging the efforts of GANHRI's regional networks to meet the needs and priorities of national institutions.