Regional Director of UN Centre Hails Qatar's Role in Promoting Human Rights

Doha, October 09 (QNA) - George Abu Al-Zulof, Regional Director of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab region in Doha, has praised remarkable steps and invaluable efforts exerted and being made by the State of Qatar to promote and develop human rights in the Arab region and the world, noting Doha's hosting of many international conferences and meetings in this regard as a testament to this great interest. Abu Al-Zulof was speaking to Qatari News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of a three-day workshop held here today on interaction skills and ways for national human rights institutions with the committees of international human rights conventions, organized by the Regional Office of the Asia-Pacific Forum in Doha in cooperation with the National Human Rights Committee and the Doha-based UN Office for Training and Documentation. He stressed that Qatar's hosting of such vital and important activities confirms its continued commitment to supporting any international, regional or local initiative in the field of human rights. He noted Qatar's reform measures on the labor law and its important role in terms of providing the potentials and favorable environments for human rights activists in the region and the world to meet, consult and work together to promote and protect these rights in the region and the world. This is what the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) welcomes, as all these efforts show that Qatar is moving in the right direction, in a positive and progressive manner. Abu Al-Zulof also noted the facilities and support provided by Qatar and the authorities concerned to the United Nations Office for Training and Documentation in the field of human rights, which reflects the role of national institutions in providing and creating favorable environments that help to freely exchange experiences, build knowledge and empower human rights workers without restrictions, stressing that Qatar's efforts in this field is well recognized. He added that organizing this workshop in light of what is happening in the region now is an important thing that reflects the continued commitment of the State of Qatar to support any international, regional and local initiative in the field of human rights. "Through my presence in Qatar, I can say that the reality is constantly evolving in the field of economic, social and cultural rights. It is clear that Qatar provides all services to citizens and residents in the fields of health, education, standard of living, social welfare and related services. Qatar can be proud of what it achieved in this the field," Abu Al-Zulof said. He added that Qatar has made great progress in terms of expatriate workers' issues and the development of expatriate labor law, about which he said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is looking at positively and hopes to build upon it to achieve more and it extends its hands to Qatar for this purpose. "We are satisfied with what has been achieved and we welcome it." (QNA)