In a step that reflects Qatar’s commitment to promoting human rights and combating racial discrimination, the National Human Rights Committee organized a regional forum at the Bin Jelmood House Museum to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The forum was held in partnership with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to discuss ways to combat discrimination and promote justice and equality.
H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Vice Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, emphasized that Qatar has made significant strides in fighting all forms of racial discrimination and human trafficking. He highlighted that the country’s permanent constitution and national legislation contain progressive provisions to protect individuals from discrimination, alongside the establishment of strong and effective institutions to ensure the implementation of relevant laws and policies.
Al Kuwari noted that the National Human Rights Committee has played a pivotal role in organizing international conferences and discussions on racism, as well as participating in UN efforts related to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action to combat racial discrimination. He stressed the need to close legal gaps and enhance regional and international cooperation to ensure protection against all forms of discrimination.
He further explained that the forum aims to review challenges, exchange best practices, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in raising awareness and educating people on dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. He added that the Bin Jelmood House Museum holds great significance as it bravely documents the stories of victims of the slave trade worldwide while also highlighting the role of Islamic civilization in opposing racial discrimination and rejecting slavery.
Concluding his remarks, Al Kuwari affirmed that Qatari society is known for its diversity and openness, serving as a model for peaceful coexistence. He noted that Qatar hosts hundreds of thousands of residents from more than a hundred nationalities, all living under the protection of the law and the hospitality of its people.
H.E. Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, stated that commemorating the victims of slavery reflects the commitment of human rights organizations to global efforts in achieving justice and human dignity.
Al Jamali emphasized that the objective should not be limited to eliminating discrimination but should extend to building a sustainable model for coexistence, where diversity is embraced as a source of strength through the collaboration of all stakeholders. He added that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity in the Arab region is a social asset that reflects the depth of shared history. Still, effective mechanisms are required to prevent discrimination and achieve social justice.
Al Jamali added that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity in the Arab region is a social asset that reflects the depth of shared history. Still, effective mechanisms are required to prevent discrimination and achieve social justice.
Abdullah Al Naama, Director-General of Msheireb Museums, stressed that the commemoration reflects the collective responsibility to eradicate discrimination and build a future based on justice, equality, and solidarity. He noted that Bin Jelmood House is the only museum in the world dedicated to documenting the history of slavery in the Indian Ocean region, shedding light on efforts to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.
Al Naama further stated that hosting this regional forum in collaboration with the National Human Rights Committee strengthens open dialogue on human rights and racial discrimination.
In the same context, Bushra Elias, speaking on behalf of Mazen Shuqoura, Director of the UN Human Rights Office for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized that commemorating the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, along with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, is not merely a moment to reflect on the past but an opportunity for collective action for the present and future.
Elias pointed out that despite the progress made during the first International Decade for People of African Descent, persistent challenges continue to hinder the full realization of rights, necessitating sustained and intensified efforts to promote equality and human dignity.
Regarding the International Day for the Adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Elias highlighted that the convention represents a landmark in global efforts to combat racism and enhance equality. She stressed that 2025 will provide an opportunity to assess the progress made in addressing racial discrimination and to remind state parties of their commitments to strengthening human rights and pushing for legal and policy reforms to tackle discrimination.
The forum was not just an occasion to remember the past but a clear call for collective action in the present and the future. Achieving justice and equality goes beyond enacting laws; it requires a sustained commitment from all stakeholders to make the world fairer and more humane.
