Doha, June 23 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) launched a series of training workshops on improving the treatment of inmates in penal and correctional institutions, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Penal Reform International (PRI). In a statement today, the NHRC said that the series of training workshops is part of the country's ongoing efforts to promote human rights and achieve a more just and humane environment within penal and correctional institutions. This is achieved by focusing on practical training and capacity building, and achieving a sustainable positive impact not only on inmates but also on all segments of society. This reflects the State of Qatar's unwavering commitment to international standards and the rule of law. In this context, Director of the Penal and Correctional Institutions Department (PCID) at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Nasser Mohammed Al Sayed said that the penal institutions have become, in this current era, a cultural indicator of the extent of a country's commitment to human rights. He pointed out that penal institutions are no longer merely places for punishment implementations, but have transformed into platforms for the rehabilitation and integration of inmates into society as active members and good citizens, using various educational, pedagogical, and professional means and influences. In his speech at the opening of the series of training workshops, Major General Al Sayed added that this meeting reflects everyone's commitment to elevating penal and correctional institutions to become a civilized and humane model befitting the status of the State of Qatar. He emphasized the Ministry of Interior's commitment, represented by the PCID, to an integrated development vision that seeks to transform the detention environment into a humane one that preserves the dignity of inmates and respects their fundamental rights. This vision also seeks to build qualified personnel who treat inmates professionally, fairly, and humanely, without compromising the overall order of the institution. Furthermore, this vision aims to strengthen the system of reformative, educational, and psychological programs as means of empowering and building the self-esteem of inmates. For his part, HE Secretary-General of NHRC Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali emphasized that these training workshops embody the Committee's serious commitment to working with all national partners to promote human rights and affirm respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings, in line with the requirements of the State's Permanent Constitution, the Qatar National Vision 2030, and the legislation and public policies adopted by the State to implement its human rights obligations. Al Jamali noted that the NHRC closely monitors measures related to the promotion of human rights in penal institutions and monitors various interactions related to the treatment of inmates. His Excellency stressed the Committee's commitment to submitting its views, as part of the periodic reviews of laws and draft laws, to ensure that legislation is consistent with international treaties ratified by the State. He noted that the Committee conducts periodic visits to penal and correctional institutions to examine their environment and assess the conditions of inmates. He highlighted the importance of the experience established by the State of Qatar in protecting the rights of inmates of penal and correctional institutions, based on the various measures and roles undertaken by relevant institutions, most notably the Human Rights and Penal and Correctional Institutions Departments at the MOI. For his part, Assistant Director of Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier Saad Salem Al Dosari, emphasized the importance of the constructive partnership between the NHRC and the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties. He highlighted the importance of the Ministry of Interior benefiting from the partnerships established by the NHRC with relevant regional and international actors, which contribute to enhancing joint cooperation, exchanging expertise, and building the capacity of Ministry personnel. Al Dosari noted the Ministry's efforts to qualify its personnel and enhance their capabilities in understanding the legal and humanitarian dimensions of their duties, ensuring professional performance that respects human rights, is based on national laws and legislation, and is consistent with relevant international standards. He affirmed the importance of the training workshop and its programs' scientific and educational components, which contribute to raising awareness of human rights among staff working in penal and correctional institutions, as part of enhancing the treatment of inmates in accordance with international standards and national legislation. For his part, Project Manager at PRI for the Middle East and North Africa Mohamed Shabana, said that the nature of the participants in this training workshop, including representatives of law enforcement agencies and representatives of national and official institutions, reinforces the need for collaborative, integrated work to establish the values of justice and the rule of law, and to translate international standards and legislation regulating correctional work from the ground up into a work program, putting them into practice and implementation. (QNA)