Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 10/12/2011
Celebration of Human Rights Day on 10 December each year provides the opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of Human Rights and human dignity evolving over the march of civilization. At the global level, the promotion of the civil and political as well as the economic, social and cultural rights, while ensuring respect for religio-cultural diversity has been significant. At the OIC, establishment of an Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), as a statutory organ in terms of our new Charter, constituted a landmark event in the 40 year history of the Organization. It reflects the Member States’ priority interest in and commitment to Human Rights. Islam in fact places a premium on human rights by according primacy to ‘Hukook-ul-ibad’ or the rights of the people. Islam calls for full equality among people regardless of their race, language, ethnic origin, social status, etc. This equality has to be associated with preserving human dignity – a concept that goes far beyond that of Human Rights. The establishment of the Commission will introduce a paradigm shift within OIC in the way universal human rights and freedoms flow together with Islamic values to offer a coherent and strong system aimed at facilitating the full enjoyment of Human Rights in Member States. In celebrating the Human Rights Day this year, we must reiterate our common resolve to accommodate diversity and eliminate discrimination. This can be done by reviving a spirit of dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect through a collective effort and forging harmony between different cultures and societies. OIC’s initiative with regard to introducing an alternative approach that resulted in the consensual adoption of resolution 16/18 at the Human Rights Council clearly indicates that the international community can count on OIC as a credible partner in this endeavour.
