A/HRC/44/44/Add.1 change into account in its development practices, in order to better safeguard the human rights of the most vulnerable populations in Qatar and abroad. 47. The Independent Expert concludes that the Government must make a paradigm shift in the State’s approach to combating climate change; away from reliance on natural gas (and to a lesser extent oil) and towards a greater use of renewable energy. In so doing, Qatar will strengthen the commitments laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030 programme and the Sustainable Development Goals. B. Recommendations 48. The Independent Expert recommends that the Government of Qatar ratify the international human rights instruments to which it is not yet a party, including the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 49. The State should open up more space for the operation of civil society organizations, and reduce registration procedures and limitations on their ability to operate and function independently. The Independent Expert recalls that active, independent civil society organizations play an integral and vital role in the promotion and fulfilment of human rights-based international solidarity. He notes that other United Nations human rights actors have also made similar calls. 50. The Government should work towards lifting its reservations on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights it ratified in 2018, and improve the asylum law to bring it into line with international standards, also by removing restrictions on the freedoms of movement and of expression of refugees. 51. In the area of sustainable development, the Independent Expert recommends that the Government continue to strengthen its efforts in its oversight and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including by focusing on sustainability. 52. The Government should integrate measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in its ministries and different governmental entities rather than allocate monitoring of progress in the Goals to the Planning and Statistics Authority, as is currently the case. 53. With respect to domestic education, the Independent Expert urges Qatar to continue efforts to introduce human rights education at the different levels of the national curriculum, as this will play an important role in instilling human rights-based international solidarity for generations to come. 54. In the area of climate change, the Independent Expert urges Qatar to strengthen domestic action on renewable energy to mitigate climate change, to ensure that it grows sustainably and to reduce its emissions. 55. Qatar remains reliant on natural gas (and to a lesser extent oil), which serve as the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source. The Independent Expert appeals for a paradigm shift towards renewable energy and combating climate change. Despite its small size, Qatar could become an example to the entire region. 56. With regard to migrant workers and particularly domestic workers, the Independent Expert recommends that the Government establish stronger monitoring and inspection mechanisms, including with regard to the implementation of recently enacted laws, such as an independent mechanism to monitor the functioning of the wage protection system and access to justice for foreign migrant workers. Without optimal implementation and enforcement, reforms will not achieve their intended goals. The Independent Experts also urges the State to entirely rescind the employer approval requirement from the Non-Objection Certificate. 12

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