The Regional Representative of the UN High Commission for Human Rights in the Middle East Abdul Salam Sayyed Ahmed has praised the State of Qatar's keenness on human rights, stressing that the issue took dimensions more than ever before and the awareness in it became not only at the level of civil society and intellectuals, but also at the level of political leaderships.
In an interview with Qatari newspaper (Al-Raya) issued Tuesday, the Regional Representative noted to the close and fruitful cooperation between the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Qatar National Human Rights Committee, which resulted in the organization of three big conferences on human rights, pointing out that what distinguishes this year's conference is the rights approach of human rights in conflict zones.
He added that this international conference on human rights approach highlights the armed conflicts experienced by the region, but through a rights-based approach, stressing that the Commission held previous conferences with Qatar National Committee for Human Rights on security, human rights and the role of the High Commission for Human Rights in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Regional Representative of the UN High Commission stressed that the importance of these conferences is that the region is witnessing noticeable rapid developments, as conflicts flared up in more than one Arab country.
He also said that the keenness and upholding of the human rights in any country can prevent the outbreak of an armed conflict or insurgency, adding that it is necessary to pay greater attention to human rights issue during armed conflicts because it constitutes additional protection for civilians, in addition to the protection provided by the International Humanitarian Law.
He added that human rights issue must be a fundamental pillar in the context of political compromises that lead to the resolution of disputes.
The UN official meanwhile said that the state sovereignty should not be an obstacle to the respect of human rights, as it is a universal value, indicating that a sovereign state has ratified international treaties to safeguard human rights that must be respected, and other relevant international conventions that should be adhered, and therefore raising human rights issues in any country does not mean an intervention in its internal affairs, but an attempt to enable it to fulfill its obligations.
He also confirmed that the role of the High Commission for Human Rights is to aware states to their obligations and to work with all other organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council and the Secretary-General to alert on the agenda of human rights in this matter, as the Commission has no military or economic force but it work with decision-makers, whether governments or other organs, to play its role in this area.
Speaking about the issue of Burma, the UN official said it is a key issue and the High Commissioner is interested in this file, stressing that the move is required with respect to the situation in the country and there are great efforts are being made to settle the matter.

Source: QNA