16 February 2024, Doha, Qatar - From the 14th to the 16th of February 2024, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, and the Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption, GOPAC, successfully celebrated the Workshop “Anticorruption and Human Rights” Training for Parliamentarians. 

With the spirit of inclusiveness, this learning initiative took place in a hybrid format, in Doha, Qatar and online, to foster partnerships and build capacities among 30 distinguished parliamentarians from all regions. 

H.E. Nasser bin Metrif Al Hemeidi, Chair of GOPAC, Qatar, and Mr. Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Executive Director of UNITAR, addressed the audience for the welcome remarks. 

The team of trainers for this workshop was integrated by Mr Alex Mejía, the Director of the Division for People and Social Inclusion at UNITAR, and Dr. Firas Alhadithi, Executive Director of GOPAC, Professor. Bahaaeddin M.S. Khwaira Associate Professor, of the College of Law, at Lusail University, Professor Ali Alkubaisy Assistance Professor in Public Law, Public International Law, International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, from Lusail University, Dr Carlos López Senior Legal Advisor, International Commission of Jurists, ICJ, Ms Tania Hummel Senior HR Director and Executive Coach, Lumina Learning, and Ms Analucía Jácome, Senior Project Leader and Human Rights Expert, Division for People and Social Inclusion, UNITAR.

Through 7 sessions, trainers referred to how corruption directly affects or impairs the full enjoyment of human rights. Likewise, through some examples and practical cases, participants learned how the effective promotion and protection of human rights reduces opportunities for corruption. 

Part of the discussions also focused on how national policies, national action plans and other related initiatives are needed for moving forward from theory to practice. In this regard, the paramount role of parliamentarians before, during and after the whole process of drafting and implementing effective laws and national policies was highlighted.

In the same vein, it stressed the fact that parliamentarians serve as the nexus between the international and national human rights arenas. They are one principal channel through which the different mechanisms’ recommendations, including those from the Universal Periodic Review, reach the national level, in particular, in their legislative, budgetary and oversight roles to combat corruption as one of the core principles of the rule of law.

In addition, several core elements of parliamentarian leadership were covered, towards strengthening redress, accountability and making decisions for effective measures for avoiding or mitigating negative effects against the dignity of persons. 

A workbook with further information on the sessions, together with the presentations of the trainers, as well as video recordings and certificates of participation were envisioned by the partners for this learning initiative. 

Finally, information on previous initiatives and upcoming activities developed by the partners was shared with participants, including e-learning courses, workshops, virtual roundtables, and an online training platform.