Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 10/12/2007
“On the occasion of the commemoration of the Human Rights day and the launching of the activities to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, it is my pleasure to express my deep appreciation for the efforts and progress realized by the International Community in building and reinforcing specific instruments and mechanism to promote and protect human rights values and obligations around the world. In this regard, the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, with the support of other special mechanisms have deployed considerable efforts to address effectively the global human rights challenges. But despite some successful achievements, we have to recognize that much more remain to be done to achieve the goal of respecting the “inherent dignity of man” which is stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Extreme poverty, illiteracy, hunger, endemic diseases, racial discrimination and intolerance, exclusion and stigmatization are some of the major phenomena we still need to address to ensure the full application of Human Rights The rising phenomena of islamophobia and other forms of religious intolerance, defamation, and demonization of religious references and symbols, should be fully and firmly addressed to preserve peace, stability, and common understanding in our world. This observance of this auspicious day should be taken as a historic opportunity to take concrete measures to rescue human rights from the bitter past legacy and move it to a higher plane of dialogue, cooperation, education and awareness rising. The Islamic world will strive to realize this vision through effective and comprehensive action, in conformity with its own values and principles, but also in accordance with the principles and objectives of UN Charter and international law. On this day, we should pay special attention to the Palestinian people who continue to be deprived from their fundamental human rights and their freedom, because of the Israeli occupation. Violations of Human Rights and the consequences and implications of the occupation of Palestine and other Arab territories including Lebanon and Syria remain a matter of deep concern for the Islamic world. It’s high time for the international community to put an end to the permanent violations by Israel of the Palestinian rights to live in peace, in a viable and recognized State. The occupying power should be also called upon by the international community to cease immediately its provocative activities of illegal excavations beneath and around the Al Aqsa Mosque and to respect the nature and characteristics of all Holy Sites in Jerusalem. Respect of Human Rights through effective protection and promotion of equality, civil liberties and social justice is a milestone in the OIC Ten Year Plan of Action. In this regard, the OIC General Secretariat is considering the establishment of independent permanent body to promote Human Rights in the Member States in accordance with the provisions of the OIC Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and to elaborate an OIC Charter on Human Rights. The OIC is also committed to encourage its member States to reinforce their national laws and regulations in order to guaranty strict respect for Human Right; We do hope that the various activities which will be organized during the year 2008 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be an opportunity to enhance international awareness on the urgent necessity to reinforce dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance”.
