Jeddah, August 5th, 2024: The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), while commemorating the ‘Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Day 2024’, regretted that neither present configuration of human rights architecture nor international order is able to fulfil its commitment to defend and realize human rights for all peoples equally. The ideals of human rights to achieve a free and fairer world have not been fully realized even after 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although freedom from want and hunger has improved, millions of people still experience abject poverty, marginalization, and exclusion in various parts of the world. Also, the world is witnessing an unabated rising tide of intolerance, misogyny, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism in the shape of regressive laws imposing bans on women clothing, Hijab, veils, and minarets, which are contrary to international human rights law.
The Commission deeply regretted that the continued andunprecedented Israeli aggression against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip represents the gross moral, diplomatic, and legal failure of the international community. The denial of dignity, justice, and basic human rights and fundamental freedoms to Palestinians and the continued impunity of Israeli occupation forces confirms that à la carte selective application of international human rights and humanitarian laws continue to prevail to tarnish the credibility of international human rights system, the Commission added.
The Commission underscored that Islam has not only laid the foundation for human rights principles and dignity for all but also propagates an international order steeped in the principles of equality among all human beings and nations regardless of caste, color, creed, or religious beliefs. The Commission, since its inception, has made significant strides in advancing human rights across Member States. Among its notable achievements is the establishment of comprehensive frameworks and guidelines aimed at protecting and promoting human rights within the Islamic context, which includes the adoption of the Cairo Declaration of the OIC on Human Rights. It has brought a paradigm shift in how OIC endeavors to adhere to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms together with Islamic values.
The Commission underscored that there is an urgent need to translate the promise of universal human rights by ending the impunity of occupying forces, including Israel, for gross human rights violations in Gaza and elsewhere, which represent a significant challenge to the legitimacy and relevance of international human rights norms and standards. It reiterates its call for accountability of well-documented war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by the Israeli occupation forces in blatant violation of international law.
The Commission also highlighted that the emerging global challenges related to climate change, the use of information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and threats to the traditional concept of family and marriage require a collaborative approach, continuous effort, dialogue, and mutual understanding. Indeed, universal values shall acquire legitimacy only when they represent and protect human diversity and when all peoples and cultures contribute to shaping them. Therefore, it urged for introspection to identify the lapses and make course corrections to deal with these emerging challenges.
The Commission, while reiterating its principled position for upholding human rights worldwide for all under all circumstances, reaffirmed its full support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to realize their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council and OIC Resolutions and called for an immediate end to the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip. It also called for an urgent need to shun double standards to make human rights truly universal and equally applicable for a future where human rights are not just a declaration but a lived reality for all.
