Geneva: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, participated in the high-level informal discussion marking the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council. The event, themed "Twenty Years, One Council: What Have We Achieved and Where Do We Go From?" took place in Geneva.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Muftah commended the Human Rights Council's role in promoting and protecting human rights over the past 20 years. She highlighted the Council's unique institutional framework, which includes the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, special procedures, technical cooperation, and active stakeholder participation. These elements have collectively contributed to strengthening national capacities, encouraging dialogue, and facilitating the exchange of experiences among countries.
Dr. Al Muftah also pointed out the ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and severe human rights violations that emphasize the need for focused efforts on implementation and achieving tangible results. She stated that the true measure of the Council's success lies in its ability to bring about real improvements in people's lives.
Looking towards the future, Dr. Al Muftah emphasized the importance of ensuring the Council's effectiveness, credibility, and adaptability in an increasingly complex international environment. She stressed the need to enhance the Council's preventive role through implementation, capacity building, and technical cooperation. She affirmed that efforts to enhance effectiveness should lead to a greater impact, while maintaining the Council's inclusiveness, transparency, and intergovernmental character, strengthening coordination between Geneva and New York, and reinforcing the interrelationship between human rights, development, peace, and security.
In conclusion, Dr. Al Muftah stated that building trust among member states, respecting diverse perspectives, and maintaining a spirit of cooperation will be fundamental to the Council's future success.