Doha, 01 March 2026

On the occasion of the International Day of Social Justice, the National Human Rights Committee renewed its call for a just digital transition grounded in human rights principles, stressing that technological progress must serve humanity and not deepen existing inequalities.

The Committee co-organized a regional virtual symposium titled “Artificial Intelligence, Social Justice, and Decent Work for All,” in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, and the Al Jazeera Media Institute. The event underscored the growing intersection between digital transformation and fundamental rights across the Arab region.

In his remarks, Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al-Kuwari, Vice Chairman of the Committee, described the symposium as an opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment to social justice rooted in dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.

He emphasized that social justice extends beyond poverty reduction or job creation; it requires the full realization of human rights and alignment with sustainable development goals. According to him, this is an ongoing ethical and legal responsibility.

Dr. Al-Kuwari highlighted the promise of artificial intelligence in advancing education, vocational training, and labor market access, potentially boosting productivity and innovation. However, he warned that without ethical governance, AI systems risk reinforcing discrimination against women, girls, persons with disabilities, and migrants, while widening poverty and marginalization. Algorithmic tools, if left unchecked, could exclude vulnerable groups from decent work opportunities.

He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to advocating for comprehensive, human rights-based governance of AI. This includes ensuring transparency, accountability, and human oversight so that algorithms do not become instruments of exclusion. He also pointed to the importance of implementing the Doha Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, positioning it as a practical framework for collective action.

For his part, Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Secretary-General of the Arab Network, described social justice as the compass guiding sustainable development in the digital era. While AI can drive innovation, he noted, it can also deepen inequality in the absence of strong regulatory safeguards. He drew attention to challenges such as algorithmic bias, digital surveillance, and precarious work arrangements that disproportionately affect women, youth, informal workers, and migrants.

Al-Jamali stressed the vital role of national human rights institutions, established in line with the 1993 Paris Principles, in monitoring policies, documenting violations, and ensuring accountability. He also underlined the importance of regional cooperation to exchange expertise and strengthen institutional responses to shared challenges.

The symposium concluded with a collective call to bridge the digital divide, align legislation with emerging work patterns, and guarantee social protection mechanisms that ensure no one is left behind in the digital transformation.