NHRI hosts panel discussion on promotion, protection of human rights

emirates7 - The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) wrapped up its participation in Human Rights Awareness Week by hosting a panel discussion in collaboration with the Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Global Dialogue. The event, titled “The Role of NHRIs in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,” took place in observance of Human Rights Day 2024 under the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” and was part of NHRI’s “Know Your Rights” awareness campaign. Over 150 attendees, including representatives from government bodies, NGOs, academic institutions, and human rights think tanks, gathered to discuss pressing human rights issues.

Prominent attendees included Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi; Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior; Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council; and Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director-General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research. NHRI senior officials such as Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Deputy Chairperson; Dr. Saeed Al Ghfeli, Secretary-General; and other members of the Board of Trustees were also present.

Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the NHRI, highlighted the need to address human rights challenges in the face of technological advancements. He emphasized the importance of data privacy in AI applications to protect individual autonomy and fundamental rights. He reiterated NHRI’s commitment to launching strategic initiatives and fostering international collaboration in the field of human rights.

Dr. Umesh Palwankar, Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Global Dialogue, praised NHRI’s successful event and underscored the importance of national human rights institutions in advancing and protecting rights globally. He also stressed the need for international cooperation to achieve meaningful human rights progress.

As part of Human Rights Awareness Week, the NHRI organized a session under its “Knowledge Lab” initiative, led by Dr. Ahmed Al Mansoori, which introduced participants to human rights and international human rights law. These initiatives align with NHRI’s strategic priorities, including labour rights, women’s and children’s rights, the rights of People of Determination, and the right to health and mental health.

Looking ahead, NHRI plans to launch several new programs in 2025, including ‘Manabir’, a series of educational human rights videos on YouTube; ‘Rights Journal’, a semiannual digital publication; and ‘Human Rights Oasis’, a forum for civil society engagement. NHRI will also continue its ongoing initiatives such as ‘Legislation Lab’ and ‘Knowledge Lab’.