19 April 2016 – Commissioner Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) paid a courtesy call yesterday on Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairperson of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC). Commissioner Cadiz was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos, Deputy Head of Mission Gonaranao B. Musor and Labor Attaché David Des T. Dicang.

During the call, both sides agreed to explore cooperation on human rights. Commissioner Cadiz also gave a brief introduction on CHR.

The Commissioner highlighted that CHR was the first national human rights institution to be established in Southeast Asia in 1987, aside from being regarded as one of the most independent human rights institutions in the region.

“CHR continues to be a pro-active advocate for human rights. In fact, in line with this, CHR will serve as a forum for the first-ever petition in the world to be filed against human right violations from climate change,” Commissioner Cadiz said.

Commissioner Cadiz also invited NHRC to visit the Philippines, where the two countries could hopefully sign a Memorandum of Understanding or MoU on cooperation between CHR and its Qatari counterpart.

Chairman Al Marri, meanwhile, said that one of the main challenges faced by NHRC is how to effectively address the rights and welfare of migrant workers in Qatar, including OFWs. Commissioner Cadiz responded by saying that an MoU between CHR and NHRC will be giant step towards effectively protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs in Qatar. END