Muscat – Oman Human Rights Commission, in collaboration with the Secretariat General of Gulf Cooperation Council, opened an event called Human Rights Institutions Forum on Tuesday.

The two-day forum was inaugurated by Sheikh Ghosn bin Hilal al Alawi, Head of State Financial and Administrative Audit Institution.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain al Hosni, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission, highlighted the forum’s objective of fostering collaboration and setting shared goals among GCC human rights institutions and the Secretariat General and added that this aligns with the broader ambition of improving mechanisms and methods to enhance human rights.

The forum, Hosni noted, is testament to the commitment to uphold the United Nations goals, the Paris Principles and global human rights conventions. Cooperation between government and community institutions is pivotal in this context.

Emphasising the significance of such gatherings, Hosni noted that these provide a platform for experts and human rights advocates to share knowledge, raise awareness and champion these rights.

Mohammed bin Rashid al Suwaidi, Human Rights Advisor at the Secretariat General of GCC, lauded the role of national human rights institutions in the member states. “These institutions represent a progressive shift across the Gulf nations, echoing the leaderships’ dedication to fortifying rights and freedoms in their societies.”

He described human rights and sustainable development as interlinked pursuits. National institutions play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development goals, aiding in aligning legislation and policies, addressing challenges, and collaborating with stakeholders, Suwaidi informed.

He urged GCC human rights institutions to examine emerging issues impacting rights, like the influence of artificial intelligence on privacy, employment and social aspects, while stressing the need for regional, national and global legal frameworks to balance protection of rights with technological advancement.

In his address, Mohammed Ensour, Head of UN Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, praised the strides made by the GCC in crafting a unified human rights strategy. He expressed optimism about an impending memorandum of understanding between the Secretariat General and the regional office.

Ensour also highlighted the pivotal role of national institutions in bridging government agencies and civil society, and in ensuring nations adhere to international human rights laws.

Additionally, Jaber Saleh al Marri, Chairman of Arab Human Rights Committee, welcomed Oman’s recent accession to the Arab Charter on Human Rights. He emphasised that human rights protection is a shared responsibility, with national institutions playing a crucial role in fostering awareness, overseeing the human rights landscape, handling related grievances, and advising governments.

The forum seeks to amplify cooperative mechanisms within GCC human rights institutions, aiming for broader collaboration regionally and globally.