Third Edition of National Human Rights Forum Begins

The third edition of the National Human Rights Forum kicked off today, organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Social Development and Family, and the National Cyber Security Agency. This year, the forum is held under the theme of protecting children's rights in a safe digital environment, with a focus on the challenges and prospects for empowerment and protection. The forum is held in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The event saw the participation of over 600 officials, experts, specialists, and students from universities and schools. The opening session was attended by HE Chairperson of the NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah and Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sulaiti, HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, HE Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, and other officials from various state institutions. The two-day forum aims to create a platform for national dialogue among ministries, public institutions, civil society, parents, and children on the latest developments and challenges related to children's rights in the digital environment. It seeks to provide insights into enhancing legislation, public policies, administrative measures, procedures, and practices related to the prevention, empowerment, and protection of children in the digital space based on a human rights approach. It also seeks to examine best practices within the country and internationally, pr omoting measures related to protecting children's rights in the digital space. Additionally, the forum aims to empower children with their right to a safe digital environment while considering Islamic values and national identity, alongside raising awareness of the importance of providing children access to the digital world while protecting them from potential risks. In a related development, the Ministry of Labor, represented by the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, participated in the forum. Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is the Assistant Undersecretary for Expatriate Workers Affairs at the Ministry of Labor and Secretary of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, attended the forum's opening session. Fatima Rajab Al Ismail, who is a member of the Secretariat of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, presented a paper on measures to prevent the exploitation of child labor on the internet, noting that increased reliance on technology and the expansion of the digital space have necessitated a re-evaluation of the challenges children face and the importance of protecting them from exploitation and misuse. She highlighted that the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in Qatar places children's rights at the forefront, especially given the new threats posed by modern technologies. She emphasized ongoing efforts to develop policies, enhance legislation, and intensify national, regional, and international efforts to protect children's rights and ensure a safe digital environment for them. She added that there was no child labor in Qatar due to the strict laws the state has enacted to protect children's rights and shield them from exploitation, especially under the labor law, which prohibits child labor and imposes penalties of imprisonment and fines on violators. In the opening session of the forum, HE Chairperson of the NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, who is also the Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions said that she was pleased that the third edition of the National Human Rights Forum this year is dedicated to discussing the protection of children's rights in the digital environment, highlighting that the topic is one of the most pressing emerging human rights concerns globally. She added that Qatar is influenced by the changes that occur globally and recognizes the importance of developing ways to protect children, as digital technology has transformed various aspects of life. She pointed out that while digital technology has enhanced children's access to their rights, it has also created new risks, some of which leave lasting negative effects throughout their lives. Her Excellency emphasized the need to develop a digital system more capable of protecting children's rights and their best interests in a manner that keeps pace with the rapid and changing growth of the digital world. She also called for engaging the private sector in enhan cing safe digital spaces for children and addressing the negative impacts on them, in line with human rights and business principles. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of working with parents, teachers, and others to educate children on responsible behavior in the digital environment, including developing their skills in dealing with digital content. Al Attiyah emphasized the importance of focusing on how to ensure informed consent from children in the context of age-appropriate digital design and how to strike the right balance between protecting children's rights and privacy while respecting their autonomy and participation. She questioned whether the regulatory frameworks in many countries, along with the practices implemented by companies, have succeeded in providing a safe and child-friendly digital environment. She noted that the state remains the primary responsible party for protecting children's digital rights, urging the relevant authorities to incorporate the digital landscape in the Child P rotection Law that is set to be issued soon, including providing remedies in cases of digital rights violations. She also called for adopting a child-centric approach in other digital legislations and expressed appreciation for Qatar's efforts in drafting the cybercrime prevention agreement, which is the first international step towards preventing internet crimes, especially those targeting children. She urged for its ratification once it is approved by the UN General Assembly. Al Attiyah stressed the need for a guiding code to respect and protect children's rights in the digital environment, which could inspire similar efforts across the Gulf and Arab regions. She said that this is something that will be discussed at the level of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. She expressed her belief the time has come to develop a national guide on respecting human rights in the context of internet usage, with children's rights as one of its main pillars. She concluded her speech by saying childr en are future, and that if Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 were to be achieved, creating a world that does not tolerate violence against children will be paramount. She expressed her confidence that the work of the forum will harness digital technology to protect dignity and rights and showcase the Qatari society people want to live in and pass on to future generations. HE Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad emphasized during the forum's opening session that children are at a crossroads, requiring wise guidance to either harness technological advancement for the benefit of humanity and the progress of societies, or to be drawn into the dangerous complexities of technology, which threaten our ethics and disrupt the balance and developmental approach of our societies. She said that the challenges posed by the recent digital boom and the world of artificial intelligence will force the world to reconsider how to use these technological tools and to be constantly vigilant about the content provided to children while using these technologies. She added that it necessitates the development of new, innovative mechanisms to protect children and youth and to block gaps that may allow the risks of artificial intelligence to infiltrate the digital environment of children. Her Excellency pointed to recent digital estimates showing that children around the world are using artificial intelligence almost daily and are increasingly exposed to modern technology, which affects their mental, psychological, and moral development. Studies show that 40% of students can be classified as victims of cyberbullying, and it has also been observed that lenient parenting contributes to children falling into such forms of bullying and online violence. She highlighted that extensive studies show that content generated digitally by artificial intelligence reinforces stereotypes and promotes popular falsehoods that threaten the future of children and the moral and identity-based future of society. Her Excellency added that the responsibility today is to unite efforts between state institutions and both public and private sectors to raise awareness and launch effective and innovative initiatives to develop solutions and mechanisms. Her Excellency explained that at the national level, the state constitution stipulates that the state shall care for the youth, protect them from corruption, shield them from exploitation, safeguard them from physical, mental, and spiritual neglect, and provide appropriate conditions for the development of their faculties in various fields based on sound upbringing. She added that to apply these constitutional principles in reality, the state has enacted the Cybercrime Prevention Law, a comprehensive law dedicated to protecting society and children from all forms of exploitation. In alignment with international standards for child rights protection, Qatar has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its two optional additional protocols. The Minister of Social D evelopment and Family stressed that the time has come to build a solid bridge between technological development and ethics, one that preserves children's safety and contributes to the progress of societies. She emphasized that the family is the first line of defense in protecting the child, serving as the source of security, wise guidance, and protection from inappropriate content, digital violence, and bullying. During the opening session of the forum, HE President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Frahaid Al Malki said that the current edition of the forum aims to discuss the most prominent challenges and risks that children face in cyberspace. He added that despite the numerous positives brought by the rapid development of cyberspace, these advances are accompanied by increasing risks and challenges that confront nations, institutions, and individuals. He noted that these challenges are no longer limited to technological infrastructure but extend to targeting the social fabr ic by introducing digital threats that affect individuals in general, and children in particular. He explained that the National Cybersecurity Agency places great emphasis on addressing the threats children face in the digital world. He noted that the agency strives to protect them from these risks through enforcing laws and regulations, such as the Personal Data Privacy Law, which classifies children's data as sensitive and prohibits its processing or collection without the approval of the competent authority, represented by the national office for personal data privacy protection. He noted that the agency is also implementing initiatives and projects targeting children, teachers, and families by providing educational content aimed at preventing digital risks. Among these initiatives are the Cyber security Educational Curriculum project and the Cyber Eco project, which has reached over 140,000 students in more than 200 schools of various age groups through field visits. He emphasized the importance of effect ively confronting the risks children face in the digital world, starting with prevention, shielding children from dangers, and providing the legal frameworks necessary to protect them. He added that the core of what the National Cybersecurity Agency strives for is to focus on educating and preparing them to appropriately handle the various challenges they may encounter online. For his part, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi highlighted the forum's significant relevance in light of the current situation. He said that the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed yesterday, is crucial in shielding the world's children from the devastation and horrors of wars. He added that providing a safe environment for children has become one of the primary challenges in this rapidly changing and updating digital era, in a reality where technology has become part of peoples' lives, including children. Today, technology plays a significant rol e as a primary educational tool, enabling children to access a world filled with knowledge and opportunities. He highlighted that this comes with numerous threats, such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, privacy violations, and online exploitation, among others. His Excellency pointed out that addressing these challenges requires taking serious and effective steps to ensure the protection and care of children's rights. He emphasized that education and guidance are the two fundamental pillars that empower children to use technology safely and wisely. He noted that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's 2024-2030 strategy has placed great importance on this matter, focusing on enabling the e-learning system by enhancing the digital skills of teachers and students, digitizing and managing the educational content of all subjects and grade levels in an interactive and engaging manner. He noted that this strategy aims to develop teaching and learning methods, increase student motivation, improve the quality of life for learners, ensure their safety and cultural development, and enhance their community involvement. It also encourages the participation of parents in educating their children and instilling positive values, habits, and behaviors. He emphasized that achieving this goal requires the development of integrated educational policies aimed at raising digital awareness among students, equipping them with the necessary skills, and enabling them to tackle the challenges they may face online. Moreover, it aims to foster a culture of responsibility in the use of digital space. His Excellency also said that the responsibility does not fall solely on education, stressing that collaboration among all parties is key. Here comes the role of parents as our partners in providing a comprehensive digital environment at home, in cooperation with the private sector, to develop safe technological tools. He added that there is also the work done on updating national legislation and policies to ensure a s afe digital environment that aligns with the rapidly evolving technological advancements, along with the roles played by religious and media institutions. He explained that the forum's goal is to reach practical and effective recommendations that would empower children to interact positively with technology, enhance the necessary protections for them, and raise societal awareness of the importance of digital education and shared responsibility in safeguarding children from online risks, and noted that all these measures should be done with greater coordination. Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori, who is the Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Industry Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said that the forum addresses a vital issue, which is one of the most important challenges in the digital era. She said that the protection of children in the digital world is not only a duty but an ethical responsibility and an investment in a better future. She added that emerging technologies, soci al media platforms, and electronic applications have become part of daily life. She maintained that while these technologies provide great benefits, they also come with challenges, particularly regarding children's safety. She noted that addressing these challenges require a coordinated approach to raise awareness and educate all segments of society about the safe and responsible use of technology. She added that in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to develop a just and secure society grounded in good morals and social care, and with a focus on the Digital Agenda 2030, which aims to empower society in the digital age, raising awareness and protecting children from the dangers they face in the digital world, and equipping them with the necessary skills to use digital tools safely and effectively has become key. She pointed out that the ministry is working on developing programs, policies, and guidelines that contribute to creating a safe digital environment for children. The ministry launched t he safe space platform in 2010, aimed at raising community awareness about the use of emerging technologies, social media platforms, and electronic games. The platform seeks to instill a culture of digital security and safety among all members of Qatari society and the Arab world, including teachers, students, and parents. It offers over 500 educational and awareness materials in both Arabic and English, covering critical topics. She highlighted that the platform has empowered more than 250,000 participants and continues to increase this number by enhancing its presence on social media and expanding local and international partnerships. It also offers specialized workshops for teachers and students throughout the year, providing educational tips and fresh insights into the most pressing issues related to security and privacy threats. She said that in terms of public engagement, the ministry's social media campaigns have achieved remarkable success, with over 44 million impressions, indicating that the platfor m offers content relevant to the daily lives of individuals and the community. She added that protecting children in the digital space is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved without collective efforts. Digital culture should be instilled early in a child's life. She emphasized the collective responsibility for protecting children in the virtual world, stating that it is not the responsibility of an individual or a single institution, but a collective duty. Parents and teachers must remain close to children through continuous dialogue and guidance to enhance their awareness of morals, Islamic values, national identity, and ways to use technology safely, so they can become an informed generation capable of leveraging technology to build a bright and secure future. For her part, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, highlighted the importance of creating a safe digital environment for children, noting that the challenges children face today extend beyond conflict zones to include many other aspects. She pointed out that the State of Qatar has shown a strong commitment to children's rights through Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to create a safe environment, provide quality education, and ensure the availability of essential services for children while addressing all risks related to them. Meanwhile, Anthony MacDonald, representative of UNICEF and head of programs and partnerships in Qatar, emphasized the high rates of digital breaches and cybercrime, stressing the need to ensure children's safety. He noted that there are many ways through which online abuse occurs, including misuse of images and various forms of violence, such as the dissemination of harmful material targeting children. He added that the United Nations is keen on addressing these forms of violence that occur in the digital environments, including cyber aggression, cyberbullying, and child trafficking. He cited statistics showing that 5.3 billion people around the world were using the internet in 2022, representing 66% of the global population. He stressed the responsibility of protecting children in cyberspace, noting that the main message is that as technology becomes more intertwined in daily life, children are increasingly exposed to all types of violence. He emphasized the importance of implementing child protection programs, which are being discussed, and called for legislative reforms, child protection measures, and support, as well as social action to safeguard children. He added that the State of Qatar is making significant progress in all these areas Source: Qatar News Agency