Abidjan: OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) delegation, led by its Vice-Chairperson Dr. Rashid Al Balushi, participated in the 44th Session of the OIC Conference of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on July 10-11.
In his address, Dr. Al Balushi welcomed the theme of 44th CFM “Youth, Peace and Development in a World of Solidarity”, and expressed hope that the outcome of the Conference would be instrumental in steering the Ummah towards achieving these goals, by promoting education and creativity in all member states through strengthening the role of youth in all aspects. He also highlighted that the establishment of IPHRC goes in line with these objectives and the role of the Commission remains crucial to achieving OIC’s desired objectives delineated in its Ten-Year Program of Action and revised Charter.
Dr. Balushi also shared details of IPHRC work with member states and affirmed that, despite resource constraints, IPHRC’s independent and qualitative work was widely recognized by the international human rights community. Describing the achievements of the Commission, he conveyed that IPHRC conducted two field visits to Palestine and Kashmir and wrote detailed reports on the ongoing human rights situation that were presented to the CFM for its consideration.
He also informed the meeting that the IPHRC has ably completed the two CFM mandated reports, namely on the subject of “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” and to review the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam against existing universal human rights instruments. Both these studies with concrete recommendations have been submitted to the 44th CFM for consideration, and appropriate follow-up.
The 44th Session of CFM also elected nine members of the Commission for a period of three years with effect from February 2018. The elected members are Adama Nana (Burkina Faso), Alhousseine Thiam (Republic of Guinea), Ambassador Mohammad Lawal Sulaiman (Federal Republic of Nigeria), Professor/Dr. Rajaa Naji Mekkaoui (Kingdom of Morocco), Dr. Rashid Bin Hamed Al Baluchi (Sultanate of Oman), Al Ajlan Abdullah bin Fahad (Saudi Arabia), Ambassador Mohammad Zamir (Bangladesh), Dr. Omer Faruk Altantas (Republic of Turkey), and Professor/Dr. Akmal Kholmatovich Saidov (Republic of Uzbekistan).
Dr. Balushi informed the meeting that the IPHRC has started functioning from its own independent headquarters in Jeddah, which is generously provided by Saudi Arabia. He also thanked all member states for their moral and material support and requested for its continuation to enable the Commission to perform its mandated tasks.
IINA
