Qatar-hosted event at the UN discusses mediation and human rights
On the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva convened a high-level side event titled “Mediation and Human Rights.”
The gathering brought together
representatives from diplomatic missions in Geneva, as well as international
and regional organisations and civil society groups engaged in mediation, human
rights, and humanitarian affairs.
In her keynote address, Qatar’s
Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Hend bint Abdalrahman
al-Muftah, underscored the strong interconnection between human rights and
mediation as essential pillars for conflict prevention and resolution. She
highlighted that addressing the root causes of disputes through the promotion
of dignity, equality, and participation is vital to achieving sustainable peace
and enhancing the effectiveness of mediation efforts.
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Al-Muftah noted that mediation, as a peaceful and effective dispute-settlement mechanism, reaches its full potential when grounded in the principles of dignity, equality, and inclusion. She stressed that peace lacking a foundation in human rights remains fragile and susceptible to collapse, adding that human rights serve not only as a value system but also as a practical framework guiding mediation strategies and enabling parties to reach comprehensive and lasting agreements.
Reaffirming Qatar’s position, she
stated that justice is not merely a political objective but a cornerstone of
international peace and stability. For Qatar, she said, mediation is not a
temporary measure but a deeply rooted approach based on the conviction that
genuine peace begins with inclusion rather than exclusion and with expanding
shared ground instead of deepening divisions.
She also emphasised the need to
continue strengthening mediation and good offices as indispensable tools for
promoting peace, security, and the protection of human rights.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of the
Human Rights Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sarah Abdullah
al-Saadi, described the current global climate as a critical juncture marked by
escalating armed conflicts, protracted crises, and deep political polarisation,
alongside grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
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Al-Saadi highlighted that the integration of mediation and human rights has become more urgent than ever. She pointed out that the United Nations Charter clearly enshrines this relationship, emphasising the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with justice and international law. Lasting peace, she concluded, cannot be achieved without justice, and mediation initiatives must be firmly anchored in respect for human dignity and the rule of law.
Source: Gulf Times