Qatar hosts Int'l conference on human rights

DOHA, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani inaugurated on Monday the International Conference on "Human Rights Approach to Conflict Situations in the Arab Region." In the inaugural speech, Chairman of the Qatari Human Rights National Commission, Dr. Ali al-Meri said dangerous challenges facing the Arab world warrant solidarity among all local and regional influential quarters, alluding in particular to wide-spread terrorism, rise of radical and violent groups and aggravating armed conflicts as well as rampant massacres and crimes against humanity.
He also mentioned other regional problems such as the immigrants' plights, spread of fanatic groups, hatred rhetoric and freedoms' breaches.
Prescribing solutions to these problems, he noted respect for human and basic rights, national conciliations, exacting justice, conducting calm and constructive dialogue among warring parties.
Depending solely on military force to tackle extremism and terrorism is not useful, he said, noting that such perils would not have existed had the human rights and dignity been respected.
The conference is organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers and the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions.
It is attended by ministers, representatives of governments, regional, international inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights, conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
The conference highlights Qatar's leading role in human rights and settling of conflicts to enhance international peace and stability. (end) nnd.rk