GANHRI Chair Stresses Importance of Supporting, Protecting National Human Rights Institutions for Their Effectiveness, Independence

Marrakesh, October 29 (QNA) - HE the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized the vital role of the Global Alliance in strengthening and supporting national human rights institutions (NHRIs), and the critical work undertaken by the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation, and all its members. This came during her opening speech at the annual GANHRI meeting, taking place in the Kingdom of Morocco, in the presence of HE the President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) in Morocco, and GANHRI Secretary-General Amina Bouayach, in addition to the Global Alliance's member networks. Al Attiyah said in her speech that supporting and protecting NHRIs for them to be strong and independent, is one of the most important GANHRI contributions in promoting and protecting human rights, as well as helping materialize the final provisions of international human rights conventions into realities on the ground, by ensuring the independence and plurality of NHRIs, in addition to ensuring that they are well equipped to meet the needs and interests of human rights in their home countries. Al Attiyah noted that the process of accrediting NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles represents the core and essence of GANHRI's collective responsibility and that the Alliance has worked hard over the years, to enhance this developing process, to reach a collective understanding of the importance of the practical application of the Paris Principles, leading to its application within the peculiarities of the national context of NHRIs. Al Attiyah added that GANHRI's vision is to live in a world where human beings everywhere enjoy their human rights. The GANHRI Chairperson emphasizes that the Alliance's members have gathered from all over the world to collectively reflect on how they will unite and work for hand in hand to implement this vision, and to support the strong and independent national human rights institutions in their important local work, by GANHRI's building these institutions, and by strengthening their collective voice and advocacy globally. The GANHRI Chair indicated that the coalition has succeeded in adapting to the difficult and ongoing challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, by many means including holding online meetings. Al Attiyah added that she is very happy for this meeting in person once again to exchange views, and discussions and build relationships. The GANHRI Chair added that this meeting takes place at a difficult and complex time for human rights and their institutions, with great fears arising from the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the devastating impact of climate change, amid the fierce war raging in Ukraine, the fuel crisis, an economic and financial crisis, and severe pressure on the multilateral system, the UN, NHRIs, and human rights defenders from around the world. Al Attiyah reiterated that in these difficult times, it is imperative to rely on the strength of the international system for the protection of human rights. She added that they count on independent and effective NHRIs and an active civil society at the national level. She explained that GANHRI continues to work with continental networks of human rights institutions, states, partners, and civil society; to strengthen national human rights institutions around the world, in line with the Paris Principles as an indicator within the 16th Sustainable Development Goal: to ensure that coalition member NHRIs are well-equipped, have the mandates, authorities, resources and institutional capacities to address the world's many challenges. HE GANHRI and NHRC Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah revealed that Europe will host next year the 14th International Conference of the Global Alliance, and said that this conference will represent a very important global gathering of NHRIs and their partners. GANHRI has prepared a memorandum to help in identifying potential topics, as well as to support and guide the election process in Europe to name a host institution. During the opening, HE CNDH President and GANHRI Secretary-General Amina Bouayach gave a welcoming speech, chaired by the Global Alliance and its technical team, as well as the heads of member networks and partners of the Alliance. Bouayach expressed her hope that the meeting would achieve its goals in setting the priorities of the alliance's strategy. She indicated that the alliance discussed, during its annual meeting, the mechanisms for implementing its action plan, and the participants in closed meetings discussed the priorities of the future strategy, in light of the increasing recognition of the important role played by NHRIs at national, regional and international levels, and on United Nations resolutions in particular. Bouayach added that the importance of this meeting comes as it represents a platform for making many decisions that will be submitted to the United Nations, relating to the role of NHRIs in activating several human rights. (QNA)