Jeddah 24th April 2024: The Independent Permanent  Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on the occasion of the ‘International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2025’, reaffirms its unwavering commitment that lasting peace can only be achieved through promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity, as enshrined in the noble principles of Islam and codified in universal human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite repeated international calls, the blatant disregard of multilateral efforts and diplomatic channels has severely undermined the credibility and effectiveness of contemporary multilateralism and diplomacy, which requires renewed and strengthened multilateralism rooted in international law, justice, and human rights.
In this context, the Commission upholds that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, dignity, and respect for human rights. The international human rights law provides the moral and legal compass for building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. It enshrines the inherent dignity of every human being and sets a universal standard that transcends borders, politics, and ideologies, implying that diplomacy without rights is fragile, while multilateralism without justice remains incomplete. In other words, a genuine, sustainable peace demands that diplomacy moves beyond mere power negotiations to become a conduit for protecting lives, addressing grievances, and ensuring accountability. Subsequently, no State alone can ensure peace or address the root causes of conflict, including inequality, marginalization, or systematic oppression. Through multilateral institutions and international legal frameworks, the global community has a shared responsibility to uphold human rights and prevent atrocities.
On the same occasion, the Commission underscores that the current global landscape is marred by rising conflicts, deepening injustice, and a breakdown of trust in international mechanisms meant to safeguard peace. Such is the case of the atrocities committed by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including acts amounting to genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, which are a tragic testament to the failure of the current paradigm of diplomacy and multilateralism. The ongoing genocide of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories by the Israeli occupation forces has resulted in the loss of innocent lives of over 51,000 Palestinians, with the majority being innocent women and children. The ongoing blockade has also precipitated a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions, endangering the lives of millions of Palestinians. This protracted and systematic aggression stands as a stark manifestation of impunity and denial of justice. The pursuit of justice and the restoration of human dignity in OPT are not only moral imperatives but also essential for lasting peace in the region. Despite binding decisions by international legal bodies such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, impunity continues. This persistent lack of accountability emboldens the Israeli occupation regime and perpetuates cycles of violence.
The Commission noted that at a time when the world continues to grapple with unprecedented levels of conflict and human suffering, a disproportionate number of conflicts persist within the OIC Member States. More than 80% of global conflict fatalities and almost 90% of global terrorism fatalities have taken place in OIC countries. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. Two-thirds of the world’s refugees originate from OIC countries[1]. These conflicts have inflicted immeasurable human, social, and economic costs on innocent populations, obstructing development and undermining regional and global stability.
Therefore, the Commission stresses the need to confront all forms of racism and discrimination, particularly the alarming rise of Islamophobia, which fuels marginalization, violence, and social exclusion globally. As far as the normalization of hate speech, racial profiling, and religious intolerance are concerned, the Commission is of the view that such practices undermine the very ideals of the United Nations and corrode the principles of multilateralism.
The Commission further emphasizes that the path to durable peace must be paved by including human rights diplomacy with the centrality of human rights and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law as fundamental pillars of global governance. A just and peaceful world order demands dignity over dominance, dialogue over discord, and justice over geopolitics. In this context, the IPHRC emphatically calls for redrawing the framework of multilateralism and diplomacy, which must be inclusive, rights-based, and reflective of the principles of equity, solidarity, and respect for human dignity instead of political expediency or selective application of international law. Diplomacy and multilateralism must be grounded in: (a) respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, (b) unwavering commitment to justice and accountability, and (c) elimination of the root causes of conflict, including the structural and systemic denial of rights.
**Download **
[1]SESRIC data on Conflicts, Peace and Security:  https://www.sesric.org/conflicts-peace-security.php#:~:text=More%20than%2080%25%20of%20global,refugees%20originate%20from%20OIC%20countries.