Amman, Oct. 30 (Petra) -Commissioner General of the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR), Jamal Shamayleh, took part in the final steering committee meeting of the South Program V held in Lisbon, Portugal.

According to a NCHR statement issued on Thursday, the meeting, themed: "Protecting Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Democracy through Shared Standards in the Southern Mediterranean," came as implementation of the South Program V nears its conclusion.

The discussions aimed to review key achievements and outcomes of the current phase, assess progress in implementing activities, and prepare for the next phase of the program (November 2025–December 2028) by setting future cooperation priorities and ensuring a smooth transition to the sixth phase.

During his participation, Shamayleh presented the NCHR’s experience in implementing program activities, urging cooperation with the Council of Europe in supporting institutional capacity building and promoting a rights-based approach in public policy and national legislation.

Shamayleh highlighted the program’s "vital" role in fostering regional dialogue on issues such as justice, gender equality, and human rights awareness by facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices among national institutions across the region.

The meeting was co-chaired by representatives of the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA) at the European Union and the Council of Europe, with the participation of national coordinators, EU mission representatives in the Southern Mediterranean countries, and several national partners, diplomats, regional organizations, and programme representatives.

In a related enagement, Shamayleh also participated in the Lisbon Forum held on October 28–29 to discuss the human rights and regulatory dimensions of artificial intelligence and its impact on justice systems, accountability, and privacy protection.

Shamayleh presented a specialized paper on artificial intelligence and human rights, focusing on aligning national legislation with international frameworks.

The paper addressed the legal and ethical challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and underscored the need for legislative frameworks that balance innovation with the protection of fundamental rights in line with international standards.

Concluding his visit to Lisbon, he attended the 2024 North-South Prize award ceremony, held on October 29, at the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic, with the participation of international figures and stakeholders in human rights and sustainable development.

The NCHR’s participation in these events reflects its commitment to enhancing the international presence of national human rights institutions, engaging in global dialogues on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, and continuing efforts to align national legislation with international standards while promoting a culture of human rights in the region.

//Petra// AO