COPENHAGEN — Preparations for the 14th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions are underway, with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah at the helm.
According to Qatar News Agency, the conference, scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 November in Copenhagen, will center on the critical issue of “Torture and other ill-treatment: the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs).” The preparatory meeting was attended by GANHRI Secretary-General Amina Bouayach and the Chairpersons of the GANHRI regional networks, including Joseph Whittal from Africa, Pedro Francisco Callisaya Aro from the Americas, Doo-Hwan Song from the Asia Pacific, and Sirpa Rautio from Europe. Al Attiyah also convened with Claude Heller, the Chairperson of the United Nations Committee against Torture.
The focus of the upcoming conference will be to delve into the persistence of torture and other ill-treatment globally, despite their universal prohibition, and to reinforce the commitment of NHRIs to combat these practices. Al Attiyah emphasized that empirical research indicates torture is still prevalent worldwide and often used as a tool of governance, underscoring a significant gap between the legal prohibition of torture and actual adherence to this standard.
Al Attiyah pointed out the crucial role NHRIs play, especially for individuals and groups most at risk of human rights violations. The conference aims to bolster the capacity of NHRIs to prevent and combat torture, encourage regional and international cooperation, and enhance practical and legislative measures to protect human dignity and freedom from ill-treatment.
Further discussions at the conference will include understanding the challenges and root causes of torture, exploring strategic practices to reduce such acts, and formulating a roadmap for future strategies of NHRIs on this critical human rights issue.
Al Attiyah noted the importance of the presentations at the conference to understand the varied challenges across the GANHRI network and expressed anticipation for the collaborative discussions with regional leaders. The involvement of Vladlen Stefanov from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Sarah Rattray from the United Nations Development Programme, was highlighted as a significant aspect of the conference, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in supporting NHRIs globally.
In her meeting with Claude Heller, Al Attiyah discussed the synergistic role of human rights treaty bodies in ensuring the on-the-ground implementation of human rights treaties, including during times of conflict. She underscored the ongoing engagement between GANHRI and these bodies to enhance their mutual efforts in upholding human rights.
The recommendations from the conference are expected to inject new energy into the collective efforts to prevent and combat torture and improve the understanding of NHRIs on the operations of the UN Committee Against Torture. The possibility of joint events to align on the recommendations of GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation was also on the agenda.