Bangkok, 24 Sept. 2024

Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairperson, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar announced that GANHRI will release a statement ahead of the Future Summit in New York City, which will host world leaders this week.

She emphasized the need for governments to reaffirm their dedication to human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the United Nations Charter, urging the establishment of a revitalized multilateral system focused on enhancing people’s quality of life.

Al-Attiyah also called on national human rights institutions to collaborate with their governments in discussing the significance of human rights in the implementation of the upcoming ‘Future Charter’.

This announcement was made during Al-Attiyah’s virtual address at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forum, taking place in Bangkok from September 24 to 25. She highlighted that the Future Summit presents a unique opportunity for participating nations to strengthen cooperation, set clear objectives, and outline essential measures to safeguard the rights and interests of future generations.

Al-Attiyah stressed the importance of collaboration among national human rights institutions to effectively address contemporary challenges, including crises, climate change, and diminishing civil space. She pointed out that the interconnected risks we face today threaten peace and security globally, emphasizing the urgent need to defend fundamental rights in a world marked by discrimination and inequality.

Furthermore, she reaffirmed the Global Alliance’s commitment to support its members in navigating these complex challenges, asserting that the collective strength of the alliance is key to identifying practical solutions for national institutions across regions.

In Geneva, the Human Rights Council is discussing crucial initiatives regarding national human rights institutions, focusing on issues like disabilities and monitoring mechanisms. Al-Attiyah urged national institutions to engage with their governments to achieve significant outcomes.

Additionally, she noted that the Copenhagen-Kiev Declaration, adopted during last year’s International Conference, commits members to combat torture and ill-treatment. The Global Alliance is implementing a work program to support these efforts, coinciding with the upcoming fortieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention Against Torture in 2024.

Al-Attiyah also highlighted the importance of addressing climate change impacts on human rights and announced preparations for COP29 in Baku.

Asia Pacific Forum promote the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific and support its members to be as effective as possible.

Asia Pacific Forum founded in 1996,  brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all corners of the Asia Pacific to address some of the most serious human rights challenges in our region.

Drawing on 28 years of human rights experience, a commitment to innovation and an outcomes-based approach to its work, its expertise lies in supporting the establishment of NHRIs and strengthening the capacity of its members to carry out their vital work.

We also work closely with governments, civil society organizations, regional human rights bodies, and the international community to build strong partnerships and strengthen the impact of our members as they work to build fair, inclusive, and resilient communities.

The Forum provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services, as well as contributing the collective voice of its members to discussion of human rights issues at the regional and international levels.