The National Human Rights Commission of Lebanon, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT), participated in the seminar entitled: “Defending International Law and the Multilateral System: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in an Era of Regression,” organized by the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions in cooperation with the Independent Commission for Human Rights “Ombudsman Office,” on the sidelines of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) meetings in Geneva.
The seminar was opened with remarks by Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, Secretary-General of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, and Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, who emphasized the importance of strengthening joint action among national institutions in addressing the growing challenges facing the international system.
In his intervention, Dr. Ammar Dwaik, Director General of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in Palestine, highlighted the serious challenges facing the protection of human rights in contexts of conflict and occupation. He underscored the critical role of national institutions in documenting violations, promoting accountability, and advocating for the consistent application of international humanitarian law. He also called for enhanced coordination among national institutions at both regional and international levels to ensure unified efforts in combating impunity and upholding the principles of justice and human dignity.
The session was moderated by Ms. Samar Haj, Chairperson of the National Centre for Human Rights in Jordan, who stressed the importance of dialogue and coordination among national institutions to strengthen their effectiveness in protecting human rights.
The presentations featured contributions from:
- Professor Rashid bin Hamad Al Balushi, Chair of the Omani Human Rights Commission,
- Mr. Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission,
- Professor Ralph Wilde, Professor of International Law at University College London (UCL).
The speakers addressed the various dimensions of the challenges facing international law and the multilateral system, as well as the vital role that national human rights institutions can play in responding to the decline in adherence to international standards.
In this context, the National Human Rights Commission of Lebanon emphasized the importance of moving beyond theoretical discussions toward practical steps that strengthen the role of national institutions in defending international law, particularly through monitoring and documentation, promoting accountability, and enhancing compliance with international obligations, including the rules of international humanitarian law.
This participation forms part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen its international engagement and contribute effectively to the work of the Global Alliance, reflecting Lebanon’s commitment to upholding universal human rights values despite the current national challenges.
The seminar was broadcast live via the Facebook page of the Independent Commission for Human Rights “Ombudsman Office,” allowing a wider audience to follow the discussions.
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