A/HRC/44/39/Add.1 undertake such a review following the State’s accession in 2018 to the two International Covenants on Human Rights. 8. The Special Rapporteur particularly highlights the statement on article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, relating to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, according to which Qatar shall interpret the term “punishment” in accordance with the applicable legislation of Qatar and the Islamic sharia. While she received assurances from several stakeholders that corporal punishment was not tolerated in schools, she underlines that such a statement, together with the reservations to articles 1 and 16 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, impede the establishment of a coherent legal framework on the matter. 9. Furthermore, the statements Qatar made on article 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the right to form and join trade unions are too broad. These provisions are crucial to enable the full participation of teachers in all discussions concerning the education system, their rights, status and conditions of work. 10. The numerous reservations to and statements on the principle of equality between men and women can have a significant impact on the rights of girls and women in the area of education, including when it comes to the role they are assigned in society through education. 11. Reservations to and statements on provisions protecting the rights to freedom of religion and belief (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 18, and Convention on the Rights of the Child, art. 14) impede the implementation of an important dimension of the right to education – the liberty of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions. 2. International cooperation 12. The Special Rapporteur commends the significant commitment of Qatar and its foundations to regional and international cooperation in the field of education. The crucial work of the Education Above All foundation and the Qatar Foundation is making a real difference for many people. 13. The Special Rapporteur notes, for example, Education Above All programmes such as Educate a Child, which provides education opportunities to about 7.5 million out-ofschool children across the world, with commitments to reach 10.4 million children; Al Fakhoora, which promotes the right to education for marginalized young people in conflict and post-conflict States; Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict; and Reach Out to Asia. 14. She also welcomes initiatives such as the World Innovation Summit for Education, established by the Qatar Foundation in 2009. With a biennial international summit held in Doha and a range of year-round initiatives, the objective of the World Innovation Summit for Education is to investigate and promote new approaches to address pressing global education challenges. 15. The Government should be commended on its willingness to welcome and find solutions for the 531 Qatari students who, during the diplomatic crisis in the region, had to abandon their studies in some neighbouring countries and return home. However, she invites the Government to continue its efforts, particularly by ensuring the validation of the diplomas of students who have continued their education through distance learning. B. National legal and political framework 16. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the strong emphasis placed on the right to education as a human right at the highest levels of the State, but also at the school level. Many legislative, regulatory, programmatic and financial measures have been adopted, and are to be acknowledged and commended. 4