Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    14 Oct. 2017

Noura Al-Hanzab, Director of Asia-Pacific Forum Sub-Regional Office Doha, said that this workshop is a continuation of previous efforts to develop the skills of the employees of national institutions and to raise their capacities to interact with the committees of international conventions. She said among main features of this exercise was to update about how to collect information, Mechanisms of recommendations, preparation and submission of reports to various committees. It also included visiting within the country on investigative missions in regards to human rights abuses.

She said that such workshops will regularly be held in future also for the members of the national human rights institutions as per the policy and strategy of the Asia-Pacific Forum.

Jaber Al Huwail, Director Legal Affairs, National Human Rights Committee  stressed the importance of the interaction of national human rights institutions with regional and international human rights organizations.

He said that National Human Rights institutions can play a major role in raising awareness on regional and international level through awareness programs.  These workshops are helpful and beneficial learning mechanisms and in preparation of various recommendations and studies for regional and int'l human rights organizations. Such sessions provide an opportunity to take benefit of experiences and challenges in addressing human rights issues as well as in regards to promote the cause and to protect human rights values.

George Abu Al Zulof, Regional Representative, United Nations Human Rights Training & Documentation in Doha said in his concluding remarks that  'We, at the United Nations Center in collaboration with Asia-Pacific Forum are preparing future strategies and vision for the next four years.

He said that a joint cooperation agreement between UNHR Training & Documentation and Asia-Pacific Forum  is under way to realize the importance of the role played by national institutions.