The symposium on “The Role of National Mechanisms in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” kicked off on Monday, in presence of Shaikh Abdullah bin Shuwain al Hosni, Chairman of the Oman Human Rights Commission, and a number of concerned parties from Oman and abroad.
The two-day event is organised by the OHRC in cooperation with the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions. It aims to introduce national mechanisms concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights, enhance cooperation and partnership between the Omani commission and various relevant authorities, highlight the role of the commission with government and non-government organisations, clarify contractual and non-contractual human rights mechanisms and clarify the role of government agencies and civil society institutions in this regard.
The symposium also aims to contribute to the implementation of the objectives of (Oman Vision 2040), specifically the strategic objective of a society whose members are responsible, committed to their duties and aware of their rights.
Al Hosni said that holding this symposium comes as confirmation and support for the legislative and administrative foundations and laws adopted and implemented by the Sultanate of Oman within the framework of protecting human rights and dignity (everyone who lives on the land of the Sultanate of Oman) through mechanisms created to work together with all state institutions and civil society institutions.
"The response that the committee found from all parties concerned to participate in this symposium is nothing but an affirmation of the extent of cooperation, interaction and constant keenness of all state institutions and competent civil society institutions concerned to work together to implement and follow-up everything related to human rights legislation and laws and protecting them, taking into account the commitment to international laws and charters that work to protect them and preserve their rights."
He expressed his thanks to the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions for contributing to the organisation of this symposium, which comes within the framework of the network's efforts and programmes for all its members, stressing the support of the permanent committee of the network and its goals.
He expressed his thanks to the participants from different agencies, describing it as "an affirmation of the extent of cooperation, interaction and constant keenness of all state institutions and competent civil society institutions concerned to work together to implement and follow-up everything related to legislation and laws related to human rights and their protection, taking into account the commitment to international laws and covenants that work to protect and preserve their rights."
Speaking on the occasion, Mariam bint Abdullah al Attiyah, President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, President of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, said: "The Arab network works to promote and protect human rights by empowering and supporting national institutions in all areas of human rights and at all national, regional and international levels. This participation in organising this important symposium comes within the framework of strengthening the programmes of member institutions at the national level to enhance the capabilities of human rights workers in all segments and sectors, thus contributing to greater interaction with the system of national, regional and international human rights".
PALESTINIAN ISSUE
Al Attiyah said, "in this event, I want to address the issue of our Palestinian people and their pain and suffering as a result of the Israeli occupation. In this context, I would like to emphasise the continuation of the Arab Network in accordance with the decision of its General Assembly, with the support of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Palestine, to empower it and enhance its capabilities to promote and protect human rights in facing Israeli violations.
"The systematic violations of rights by the Israelis were and still continue against Palestinians in the city of East Jerusalem, and they still use excessive force against un-armed civilians, breaching of the sanctity of Al Aqsa mosque and setting up restrictions on worshippers, not caring about the international human rights system, so it must be activated and use its tools to prevent them from committing their crimes"
The President of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions also mentioned that "international human rights system recognises the inspiring and unique role of NHRIs, and this is exemplified in resolutions issued in this regard by the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council and in the review of Universal League and Treaty Bodies. Therefore, the Global Alliance encourages national human rights institutions to develop their cooperation with international mechanisms'', confirming that the participation of national human rights institutions at the international level; helps the United Nations and its mechanisms to understand the human rights situation on the ground, and helps to implement United Nations standards also in their countries.
In his speech, Sultan bin Hassan al Jamali, Executive Director of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, spoke about the role of the network in enhancing human rights principles based on international and regional regulations. He also spoke of the importance of NHRIs inside their communities and the role they play with international communities.
The symposium is attended by about 100 participants representing government, private institutions, as well as civil society agencies.
On the first day, the symposium looked into raising the efficiency of participants to implement policies and practices to achieve the objectives of protecting and promoting human rights, reviewing efforts, exchanging best practices to overcome challenges, ensuring optimal implementation of the contents of regional and international instruments, and strengthening cooperation mechanisms at the national and international levels.
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