UAE Hosts Workshop To Bolster Civil Society's Impact On Human Rights

The UAE's Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR) recently wrapped up a training workshop titled ‘Civil Society Contributions to Advancing Human Rights in the UAE’. The event aimed to enhance the understanding of human rights among public benefit entities operating within the country. Held in Dubai from 19-21 July 2024, it was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development and the Arab League.

The workshop began with an opening session emphasising the importance of improving organisational capacities for public benefit entities. Representatives from both organising parties attended this session. Topics covered included fundamental human rights concepts, national human rights mechanisms, and legislative structures at both Arab and international levels.

Hind Alowais, Director of PCHR, highlighted the committee's dedication to enhancing human rights capacities across public benefit entities. She stated, "We are committed to developing the human rights capacity across public benefit entities, and will organise further similar events in the future in partnership with leading entities in the sector. Such initiatives are part of PCHR's commitment to transparency in tackling human rights issues, along with our constant endeavour to develop effective strategies to protect human rights and raise awareness in this regard."

Mounir El Fassi, Director of the Human Rights Department of Arab League, also commented on the collaborative nature of the workshop. He said, "Our collaboration with PCHR UAE and the Ministry of Community Development reflects our shared commitment to raising awareness about human rights in the region. This workshop is a significant stride in our journey towards achieving this goal."

Dr. Riadh Al Sobh, one of the lead trainers at the workshop, praised participant engagement. He remarked, "It was great to see such engagement from the participants. We are confident that such forums will contribute to strengthening the efforts of public benefit entities in the field of human rights."

Interactive Sessions and Evaluations

The sessions were interactive and covered various aspects related to human rights issues. Participants appreciated these sessions and valued the insights provided by experts. The workshop concluded with a comprehensive evaluation session where attendees expressed their gratitude for the informative content.

The event underscored PCHR’s ongoing commitment to transparency and effective strategy development for protecting human rights. The collaborative efforts between PCHR, the Ministry of Community Development, and the Arab League reflect a shared dedication to raising awareness about human rights issues within the region.

This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering public benefit entities with essential knowledge on human rights matters. Future workshops are planned to continue building on this foundation.

The training programme's success highlights its role in fostering a deeper understanding of human rights among key stakeholders in UAE society.

With inputs from WAM