The Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) delegation, headed by H.H Sheikh Humaid bin Ali al Maani, Vice-Chairman of OHRC, concluded its participation in the annual meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and its accompanying events and meetings, which were held in the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG).
In its closing statement, the meeting underscored the main role of NHRIs in contributing to strengthening the human rights system, advancing just and safe societies around the world, in addition to promoting and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.The statement commended the progress made by the member states in establishing and strengthening NHRIs in line with the Paris Principles; Currently, there are over 120 NHRIs around the world.
The GANHRI urged its member institutions to assist the States, who hold the primary responsibility, in their national committees’ efforts to fully implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Paris Principles, and to fulfill their obligations under international law, including providing guidance and suggestions to promote and safeguard human rights for all individuals.
The outcome of the meeting stressed on the need to continue building constructive and strategic partnerships with Governments, civil society organizations, regional organizations, the international community and other relevant stakeholders to address human rights issues.
The Paris Principles were seen as the foundation for robust national institutions working towards turning universal human rights into a reality for all, and for setting the minimum criteria to be met by the national human rights institutions to be considered independent, credible and effective.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of making the year 2023 an occasion to commemorate the humanitarian principles of humanity, as the said year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles by the United Nations General Assembly, both of which form the basis of the work of national human rights institutions. Additionally, it has been 30 years since the establishment of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, which aims to promote and support national human rights institutions around the world.
Additionally, the OHRC delegation held a number of side meetings during its participation to introduce the commission and its new work system issued by virtue of the Royal Decree No. (52/2022), where the delegation met Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and H.H. Amina Bouayach, Vice-President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
Furthermore, the delegation met Dr. Ammar Al-Dweik, Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Patrick Cronin, an official at the Asia Pacific Forum, Dr. Zafer Al-Husseini, a human rights and counter-terrorism officer at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in addition to a number of officials from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and national committees of some Arab countries.
The delegation of OHRC included Aida bint Shams Al-Hashmi a member of the Commision , Shatha bint Abdul Majeed Al-Zadjali, Director of the Department of Organizations and International Relations, and Salem bin Khalfan Al-Rushdi, Head of the Media Department of the Commision.
