Category: Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, November 16, 2025

The first consultative session to prepare the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030) convened in Doha Sunday.

The session was attended by HE President of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, HE Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, and HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah.

Also attending were several officials and representatives of government agencies and national institutions, as well as a top tier of experts and representatives of civil society.

The session is intended to weigh in on the key themes of this action plan, identify challenges and gaps, and listen to the attendees’ views and feedback that would literally help prepare a holistic plan that reflects the community’s needs and aspirations.

Overall, the session features bountiful deliberations that highlight the priorities for the upcoming period within the national framework for human rights.

In her opening remarks, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the national committee for preparing the National Human Rights Action Plan Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad welcomed the participants, affirming that their participation underscores the State of Qatar’s enduring commitment to the values of human dignity, justice, equality, and the rule of law, values that essentially shape the essence of Islamic Sharia, Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).

The preparation of this plan is neither a procedural action nor a tradition the world simply intends to pursue, but rather a national vision that expresses the collective will to bolster the system of rights and freedoms and the principles that place humans at the core of development and its aims, HE Al Misnad underscored.

She added that from this position the plan, which needs invaluable contributions in terms of preparation and execution, represents a practical road map that primarily aims to transform values into legislation and policies and principles into measurable realistic practices, and at the end of the day human rights become a guiding approach in planning and crafting public policies in a variety of fields.

The move, she adds, comes in the wake of accelerating challenges the world is witnessing today in terms of climate change and digital transformation, as well as the resulting complexities that affect people’s lives and daily affairs.

HE Al Misnad noted the Doha Political Declaration issued at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, which underscores the inextricable link between achieving social justice and reinforcing respect for human rights.

The declaration, she said, calls for a rights based approach to shaping and advancing social policies, upholding the rule of law and good governance, ensuring unencumbered access to justice, and building effective institutions. It also emphasizes broadening community participation for all stakeholders so that development remains human centered, affirming that social protection is a right, not a largesse.

This plan represents an opportunity to translate the substance of the Declaration at the national level and to embody the nation’s commitment to social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs anchored in human dignity, justice, and solidarity both domestically and within the international community, she points out.

Al Misnad further noted that the committee responsible for drafting this plan is laser focused on ensuring that the drafting process is grounded in five core principles, chiefly the universality, indivisibility, complementarity, and interdependence of human rights.

This is literally the approach that binds their promotion, protection, and fulfillment to the shared religious, human, constitutional, and international values that underpin them, and to transparency and openness in sharing information and assessing the current landscape with all its achievements and challenges, and to broad based partnership and community participation through the engagement of state institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, and all stakeholders, reaffirming the principle of leaving no one behind, she outlines.

Al Misnad stressed that institutional integration is essential to ensure the effective execution of the agreed upon actions, supported by continuous follow up and periodic evaluation to refine performance and safeguard the sustainability of the gains that have been achieved.

In addition, Her Excellency expressed her profound belief that these five principles serve as a springboard for crafting a realistic, actionable, and impact sustained National Plan, one that stands in lockstep with QNV2030, which places the human being at the core of development, and with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which foregrounds good governance, human empowerment, and the preservation of social justice within a balanced national framework.

The aspiration is for this plan to emerge as a unifying document that captures the shared vision of both the nation and society and becomes a national role model rooted in rights based planning, Her Excellency noted.

She elaborated that the success of these consultative sessions hinges on engagement, constructive criticism, unencumbered reflections, inspiring ideas, and insightful proposals. This collective input, she highlights, will flip the script from mere textual commitments to a results driven plan whose impact is concrete in people’s lives, not confined to rhetoric.

Al Misnad extended her profound gratitude to all partners from ministries, governmental and national bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector for their support and their engagement that is capped by success.

Her Excellency further extended her profound gratitude to global partners for their steadfast engagement and for lending depth to this national endeavor, affirming that she looks forward to the outcomes of their constructive dialogue that confidently redound to the benefit of the cherished nation and valued society.

Through collective effort, human rights are firmly anchored within the nation and the future of the coming generations is safeguarded, she stated.

The assigned committee underscored that convening this session forms part of a participatory approach that reinforces transparency and ensures the broad inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in shaping the plan.

This aligns with the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, QNV2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and international human rights standards.

The committee noted that the session reconvenes Monday to continue discussions on the remaining pillars of this plan. It adds that additional thematic and forward looking sessions are held to guarantee the engagement of all segments of society in the formulation process, a step intended to ensure that no one is left behind and that the effort is capped by success in every conceivable way.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, November 15, 2025

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi affirmed that the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance (March 23 Movement), which took place Saturday, represents an important step toward consolidating peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

His Excellency emphasized the State of Qatar’s commitment to continuing support for this process until comprehensive peace is achieved for the Congolese people.

In a press conference on the signing of the agreement, His Excellency expressed Qatar’s appreciation to both parties for demonstrating genuine political will and responsible commitment, which contributed to the achievement of this agreement.

He also valued their trust in Qatar’s role in facilitating and advancing the peace process.

His Excellency praised the strong support provided by HE President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, and his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

He also commended the efforts of the government’s negotiating delegation, the cooperation of the AFC/M23 Movement, and the contributions of partners, particularly the African Union, the Republic of Togo, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Rwanda, and the French Republic.

He noted that Qatar’s efforts in this regard began when HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani hosted both HE President Tshisekedi and HE President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda in Doha, and when HE President Tshisekedi chose to open the door for dialogue with the AFC/M23 Movement.

Since March 2025, Doha hosted rounds of direct negotiations between the two parties, conducted in a spirit of positivity and high responsibility, leading to the agreement.

His Excellency stated that this progress was built on the momentum generated by the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha on July 19, 2025, which laid the foundation for a critical phase of confidence-building measures and opened the path for dialogue between the parties.

Over the past months, the parties achieved notable progress on key issues, including the signing of the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism on October 14, 2025, and the detainee release mechanism on September 14, 2025.

He noted that the declaration marked a pivotal step that paved the way for the framework and reinforced the shared commitment to peaceful solutions through dialogue and understanding, reflecting the genuine will of both parties to end the conflict and achieve lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

His Excellency emphasized that the signing of this framework does not represent the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a comprehensive peace process and rounds of negotiations to be held in the near future to discuss several core issues.

He stressed that peaceful solutions and political dialogue are the optimal path to ending conflicts and fulfilling the aspirations of the region’s peoples.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast commitment to preventive diplomacy and constructive dialogue as a strategic choice for conflict resolution, emphasizing that Qatar’s mediation experience is based on direct communication between parties and the creation of common ground that contributes to building trust and enhancing peace opportunities.
His Excellency considered the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement for Peace today a historic opportunity that entails the responsibility of implementation by both parties.

He pointed out that Qatar’s role in this process is not aimed at resolving all disputes at once, but rather at establishing a framework containing a number of core protocols to be negotiated, which will form part of the comprehensive peace agreement.

These protocols include: restoring state authority, reforms, arrangements for inclusive national governance, issues of identity and citizenship, return and resettlement of internally displaced persons and refugees, as well as economic recovery and enhancement of social services.

He explained that the comprehensive peace agreement will consist of the framework agreement and eight protocols, two of which have already been signed, while six protocols will be negotiated between the parties within two weeks from the date of signing the framework agreement.

The parties will also agree that the government will establish an independent commission to promote truth, reconciliation, and accountability for crimes, and to provide recommendations on appropriate reparations within a transitional justice process.

The organization and operation of this commission will be consistent with the constitution and international law.

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, November 15, 2025

The State of Qatar announces the signing of the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance (M23 Movement). This development marks a new and important milestone in the ongoing peace process facilitated by Qatar, building on the momentum of the Doha Declaration of Principles signed on 19 July in Doha.

The Framework reaffirms the Parties’ shared commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict through structured dialogue, confidence-building measures, and a phased approach to de-escalation and stabilization. It further underscores the priority placed on the protection of civilians, respect for human rights, the safe and dignified return of displaced persons, and the advancement of national reconciliation and unity.

The Doha Framework serves as the foundational reference document for the broader peace process. To ensure effective and practical implementation, the Parties have agreed that a series of subsequent protocols, annexes, and technical arrangements will be developed in the coming period. These will address specific operational aspects, including the consolidation and verification of the ceasefire, modalities for troop disengagement, humanitarian access, reintegration pathways, and the support for national dialogue.

Once adopted, these protocols and annexes will form an integral and harmonized part of the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement, ensuring coherence, clarity, and phased implementation.

The State of Qatar commends the constructive engagement of both Parties and values the cooperation of regional and international partners who have supported this process. In particular, Qatar expresses its appreciation to the Government of the United States of America, the Republic of Togo, and the African Union Commission for their constructive engagement and continuous support throughout the facilitation process, which has contributed significantly to the progress achieved.

Qatar remains fully committed to accompanying the Parties in the implementation phase and to continuing to provide a neutral and supportive platform for dialogue, in coordination with regional organizations and the United Nations system.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, November 13, 2025

Qatar has reiterated its condemnation of the killing of journalists and media workers, calling for their protection under international humanitarian law and relevant UN resolutions to end impunity for such crimes.

The statement came from Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, a member of Qatar’s delegation to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, speaking before the Fourth Committee on issues related to information at UN headquarters in New York.

He underlined the importance of access to accurate and reliable information for states, organizations, and individuals, noting the key role of the UN Department of Global Communications and its network of information centres in promoting awareness, education, and outreach to strengthen the credibility of the United Nations.

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the vital role of the UN’s Special Information Program on the Question of Palestine, especially amid the current critical circumstances surrounding the Palestinian issue, which he said require intensified and objective communication efforts.

He drew attention to the continuing challenges facing journalists in conflict zones, citing Palestinian journalists in Gaza who have faced grave risks and paid a heavy price in their pursuit of truth and duty.

Qatar, he said, pays tribute to journalists and media professionals – particularly who cover conflicts and humanitarian crises under difficult conditions, emphasizing the need to ensure their safety and protection.

He also underscored the importance of preserving the UN’s archival documents as a vital institutional memory and a shared human heritage, praising the progress made in digitizing the organization’s historical records to make them accessible online.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s pride in contributing USD 7.5 million to support and sponsor this digitization project in two previous phases, and confirmed the country’s continued commitment to backing this important initiative in the future. 

Source: Government of Qatar