Doha Centre Newsletter Newsletter Summer 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1
United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South West Asia and the Arab Region
OHCHR Consultation with Qatar
Special Interest Articles: Journalists and Human Rights Human Trafficking in the Region Upcoming OHCHR-Doha Centre events
Individual Highlights: Combating Human Trafficking
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Recent UN Publications
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What are Human Rights?
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Upcoming Events 8
Past Events
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High Commissioner Pillay and members of the Qatari delegation
The first ever consultation between OHCHR and a member of the GCC (Qatar) took place in Geneva on 4-5 May 2011. OHCHR and the State of Qatar concluded a Host Country Agreement in December of 2008 that called for regular consultations between the two parties. At the May consultation, the High Commissioner thanked the State of Qatar for supporting the Centre and OHCHR
in general, reiterated the importance of discussing issues of common interest and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the implementation of the Agreement. The High Commissioner also drew attention to the struggle for respect for human rights that is at the heart of the current events in the Middle East and North Africa. The Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Khaled Al-Thani, thanked the High Commissioner and expressed the belief that the consultations will strengthen both the work of the Centre and the overall partnership
between OHCHR and the State of Qatar. He also stated that Qatar and perhaps most other countries in the region count on OHCHR‟s support for the rule of law, capacity building and the current process of transformation in the region. The Deputy High Commissioner attended finale of the consultation and thanked Qatar for their support. She also reiterated the importance of providing the necessary support to the Centre and hoped to attend the next round of consultations, which is expected to take place in Doha at the end of the year.
Rights-based approach journalism In March, 2011, OHCHR-Doha Centre held a training programme for 15 local journalists at its office in Doha. The focus of the training programme was to introduce journalists to reporting the news
with a human-rights based approach. Speakers at the program included several experts on a range of topics from basic human rights to obstacles in reporting human rights issues in the news.
The concept of a human rights based approach to journalism was discussed by Farid Hamdan, from the OHCHR-Doha Centre. Hamdan pointed out the five principles to applying the international Continued on page 4
OHCHR-Doha News
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Message from the OHCHR-Doha Centre Head
Dr. Elobaid Elobaid, Head of the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region (OHCHR-Doha Centre
The High Commissioner for Human Rights described the year 2011 as an “extraordinary [year]from a human rights perspective”. This description is based on the number of “unexpected developments” in the Arab World, which raise a number of challenges in regards to human rights. Of these challenges is the challenge that relates to knowledge; both knowledge in general terms and the knowledge of human rights issues, particularly within the region. The Arab Human Development Report 2003; „Towards a Knowledge Society‟ stated that “Key knowledge dissemination processes in Arab countries, (socialization and upbringing, education, the media and translation), face deep-seated social, institutional, economic and political impediments. Notable among these are the meager resources available to individuals, families and institutions and the restrictions imposed upon them. As a result, these processes often falter and fall short of preparing the epistemological and societal environment necessary for knowledge production”. The report also pointed to the close link between the absence of freedom and the levels of knowledge within the region. This is most certainly true in the case of human rights knowledge in both the Southwest Asian and Arab Regions. The OHCHR has taken the lead (within the UN system) for strengthening human rights knowledge in the world. The fact that the full start of the activities of the UN Doha Centre is coinciding with the collective drive towards a better threshold of human rights respect in the Arab region, is further evidence to the determination within the OHCHR to strengthen local capacities in human rights. Furthermore, the mandate of the Centre, as highlighted by the UN General Assembly‟s Resolution 60/153, is to strengthen the state of human rights knowledge in the Arab Region and Southwest Asia through “training and documentation activities according to international human rights standards and to support such efforts” within the two regions. To this end, the Centre has carried out a number of activities in the past six months of operation, which are highlighted in the contents of this newsletter. With this inaugural issue of the Centre‟s newsletter, which we anticipate to publish on a quarterly basis, we hope to stimulate interest in, and contribute to, the increasing human rights knowledge within the Arab region and of Southwest Asia. We welcome any feedback and constructive suggestions for further improvements on future issues of this newsletter.
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OHCHR-Doha News Human Trafficking in the Arab Region
Participants at the Regional Consultation
“Some Arab countries now provide victims legal assistance, medical and psychological support, shelter and temporary residency, and repatriation..”
Participants listen to recommendations by human trafficking experts
The Middle East has steadily been increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in the region, according to expert panels, media reports and government and nongovernment organization initiatives. Information by these sources reveal that the main types of human trafficking in the region include forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and organ removal. Women and children tend to be the majority of trafficked victims, from Eastern Europe, South and East Asia and Africa, and the traffickers themselves are often of Arab and South Asian nationalities. Several Arab countries have taken positive measures to combat trafficking. Those measures include targeting legal, institutional and policy frameworks, such as enacting legislation to criminalize trafficking, adopting national plans, and establishing national bodies to oversee the efforts exerted to combat trafficking. Some countries in the region have gone further by enhancing criminal justice response
mechanisms through establishing special units within law enforcement to combat human trafficking. Furthermore, some Arab countries now provide victims legal assistance, medical and psychological support, shelter and temporary residency, and repatriation. During an event organized by the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking, in March 2010, an initiative labeled the "Arab Initiative for Building National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking” was launched. The Initiative aims to build national capacities of law enforcement officials, and judiciary and prosecution mechanisms, in areas related to human trafficking. The Initiative also aims to establish partnerships with civil society organizations to complement the role of governments in combating trafficking, and to benefit from the capacity building activities. Subsequently, the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking and OHCHR-Doha Centre
held the Regional Consultation on the Human Rights Based Approach to Combating Human Trafficking, on May 17-18, 2011, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha, Qatar. About 70 people attended the forum from various United Nations organizations, national institutions from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Egypt and Jordan, as well as human rights group representatives, regional academics and specialists in the efforts against human trafficking. The objective of the consultative workshop was to strengthen mechanisms to implement the Arab initiative to build national capacities in combating human trafficking and to develop an Arab strategy for combating human trafficking, as well as to establish a human rights based approach to respect, protection and promotion of the victims‟ rights. The workshop was concluded with recommendations for a human rights based approach to combating human trafficking in the Arab region.
OHCHR-Doha News
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Rights-based approach journalism cont’d framework for human rights; accountability and the rule of law, participation, nondiscrimination, capacity and empowerment. Dr. Hassan Mujamar, Deputy Director for the Public Freedom and Human Rights at Al Jazeera Network, also discussed the international framework for human rights. Dr. Mujamer talked about the international mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights, reviewing the basic components of rights, principles, standards, mechanisms, and international and global cooperation. He pointed out that the international conventions have no effect if the implementations are not put into action. Discussing how some conventions have not been put into action in the Arab region, Ms. Hala Al Ali, legal expert at the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, talked to the journalists about the role they can play regarding these matters. Ms. Al Ali
provided a detailed explanation about the historical development of human rights and the international standards on freedom of press. She stressed at the outset that the profession of journalism often meets with the profession of human rights defenders in concept., and proceeded to list a few conventions that have yet to be acceded to by members of the Gulf states. Another local speaker was Dr. Mohamed Tayeb, legal expert on human rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Tayeb listed several sources of information that journalists should refer to, to get more information about human rights and the international mechanisms to protect and promote them. He listed the reports of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and reports of international and national human rights organizations. Finally, guest speaker Mr. Mohamed Krishan, senior anchor at Al
Jazeera Network, discussed some of the challenges journalists face when trying to report on topics concerning human rights. Mr. Krishan described the difficulties met by journalists when trying to access information about human rights issues, violations, and related subjects. He went on to explain that even when information is accessed, it is difficult to verify the validity and credibility of the information, putting journalists in a dilemma. Another challenge journalists face, he said, is the political environment in the Arab region, which tends to perceive human rights activists as members of an opposition seeking trouble. He compared these challenges to the environment of a greater understanding of human rights agreements and standards that journalists in the international press are more often reporting in. The two-day training programme offered journalists in Qatar
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Mr. Mohamed Krishan, senior anchor at Al Jazeera
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. 2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
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OHCHR-Doha News Rights-based approach journalism cont’d insight into the basics been familiar with or of human rights, the international framework for human rights, and a human rights based approach to reporting that the journalists had typically not
aware of prior. OHCHR-Doha Centre plans to conduct more journalists training.
Recent Publications Recommended Guidelines and Principles on Human Rights and Human Trafficking: Commentary The Recommended Principles and Guidelines have been developed in order to provide practical, rights-based policy guidance on the prevention of
trafficking and the protection of victims of trafficking. The Commentary on the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking aims at providing further concrete guidance on the prevention of human trafficking and the protection of victims of trafficking.
States and intergovernmental organizations are encouraged to make use of the Principles and Guidelines, as well as the Commentary, in their own efforts to prevent trafficking and to protect the rights of trafficked persons. The Arabic version will be available August 2011.
This publication is available online through the following link: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Commentary_Human_Trafficking_en.pdf
National Human Rights Institutions: History, Principles, Roles and Responsibilities
rights protection and promotion, and links between States and the international human rights systems.
The National Human Rights Institutions publication introduces the reader to national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Its focus is on NHRIs as both cornerstones of national human
Respected for human rights requires the concerted effort of every Government, individual, group and organ in society. With this in mind, the publication is
intended for all those who seek a basic understanding of NHRIs, the work they do, how they interact with States, civil society and the international community, and how to support their work.
This publication is available online at: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/PTS-4Rev1-NHRI_en.pdf
OHCHR-Doha News
In May, 2011, Al Jazeera, OHCHR-Doha Centre, OHCHR (ROME) and UNESCO-Doha, organized a one-day regional symposium to reflect International Media Day‟s “Protection of Journalists During Crisis,” and, a twoday training workshop for Al Jazeera network journalists, at the Bristol Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. The one-day symposium aimed to draw attention to the challenges journalists face when covering armed conflict and reporting from crisis areas, and to emphasize the importance of solidarity between international organizations and media to promote and protect the role of media. Furthermore, journalists were introduced to the principals and standards of international human rights law and international humanitarian law applied in times of armed conflict and internal disputes. The following two-day workshop targeted 16 correspondents from Al Jazeera, representing international offices from France, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Qatar, Pakistan, Iraq, Bahrain, South Africa, Sudan, Palestine and Norway. The workshop aimed to introduce Al Jazeera journalists to safety measures in the field,
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Protection of journalists continued from page 1
Panelists at the Workshop in Beirut, Lebanon
international standards regarding the protection of journalists, and freedom of media. Three separate sessions by different representatives covered “Legal protection for journalists and media during armed conflict and internal instability,” “Efforts of the International Mechanisms to protect Journalists,” and “The legal and ethical responsibility to prevent impunity and repatriation of victims.” Dr. Amer Zemmali, legal advisor to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Mr. Fateh Azzam, OHCHR, discussed the protection of journalists and media using international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Mr. Ahmad Karoud, Head of Amnesty International (AI) regional office of Middle East and North Africa, discussed the role of AI in promoting and protecting journalists and
“…draw attention to the challenges journalists face when covering armed conflict and reporting from crisis areas, and to emphasize the importance of solidarity between international organizations and media to promote and protect the role of media…”
the freedom of media. Mr. Nidal Mansour, Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists in Jordan, highlighted the legal and ethical responsibility to protect journalists and to review the patterns of committed violations against journalists in the region. Participants in the event included Al Jazeera reporters, various UN offices and partner organizations. The event was organized as a result of agreements between OHCHR – Doha Centre and the Public Freedom and Human Rights department at Al Jazeera, to cooperate in promoting human rights. The three-day event was sponsored by UNESCO, OHCHR (ROME ) and Al Jazeera.
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OHCHR-Doha News
What are Human Rights? Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups. Universal and Inalienable The principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law. This principle, as first emphasized in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, has been reiterated in numerous international human rights
conventions, declarations, and resolutions. The 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, for example, noted that it is the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems. All States have ratified at least one, and 80% of States have ratified four or more, of the core human rights treaties, reflecting consent of States which creates legal obligations for them and giving concrete expression to universality. Some fundamental human rights norms enjoy universal protection by customary international law across all boundaries and civilizations. Human rights are inalienable. They should not be taken away, except in specific situations and according to due process. For example, the right to liberty may be restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law. Interdependent and Indivisible All human rights are indivisible, whether they are civil and political rights, such as the right to life, equality before
the law and freedom of expression; economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, social security and education , or collective rights, such as the rights to development and selfdetermination, are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. The improvement of one right facilitates advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others. Equal and NonDiscriminatory Non-discrimination is a cross-cutting principle in international human rights law. The principle is present in all the major human rights treaties and provides the central theme of some international human rights conventions, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The principle applies to everyone in relation to all human rights and freedoms and it prohibits discrimination on the basis of a list of non-exhaustive Continued on next page
“Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status..”
OHCHR-Doha Centre Diplomatic District West Bay Doha, Qatar Phone: +974 44932544 Fax: +974 44935790 E-Mail:
categories such as sex, race, color and so on. The principle of nondiscrimination is complemented by the principle of equality, as stated in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Both Rights and Obligations
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Human rights entail both rights and obligations. States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfill human rights. The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights. The obligation to protect requires States to protect
individuals and groups against human rights abuses. The obligation to fulfill means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. At the individual level, while we are entitled our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others.
Upcoming Events Human Rights Training for Arab Diplomats Date: December Location: TBA
Human Rights Training for Omani NHRC Date: November Muscat, Oman
Human Rights Training for Journalists Date: November Muscat, Oman
Celebrating International Media May 3-6, 2011, Beirut, Lebanon
Regional Consultation on Human Rights Based Approach to Combating Human Trafficking May 17-18, 2011, Doha, Qatar
Past Events We‟re on the Web! See us at: www.ohchr.org
Human Rights Based Approach Training for Local Journalists March 3-4, 2011 Doha, Qatar
About Our Organization… The United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South West Asia and the Arab Region is an extension of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Doha, Qatar. The
Centre functions according to the mandate to undertake training and documentation activities according to international human rights standards and to support new efforts within the region by
Governments, United Nations agencies and programmes, national human rights institutions and nongovernmental organizations.