Vendredi dernier dans la grande salle nouvellement baptisée salle des droits de l'Homme et de l'Alliance des Civilisations, le Secrétaire Général des Nations Unie, M. Ban KI MOON, procédait, en présence de nombreux dignitaires, à la célébration par les Nations Unies et le Conseil des Droits de l'Homme, du 60ème anniversaire de la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l'Homme. C'est un événement majeur qui permet de dresser le bilan de 60 ans de mise en œuvre d'un engagement collectif des signataires de cette déclaration qui, à partir du 10 décembre 1948, promettaient de jeter les bases d'un monde meilleur, plus respectueux de la dignité humaine, de la justice et de l'égalité.

En initiant ce forum inter-institutionnel, l'organisation de la Conférence Islamique voudrait apporter sa contribution à cette commémoration.

Il s'agit autour du thème « défis et nouveaux paradigmes » que pose la mise en œuvre de cette déclaration, de permettre aux organisations internationales, intergouvernementales et non gouvernementales, qui sont des instruments incontournables dans la réalisation des objectifs fixés, de partager leur bilan et les enseignements tirés à cet égard.

L'OCI qui est un acteur de premier plan sur la scène internationale, avec 57 Etats membres et d'observateurs de toutes les régions du monde ne pouvait être en reste dans cette célébration, d'autant que nombreux des ses ressortissants ont largement contribué à la rédaction de cette importante charte fondamentale ainsi que de ses documents annexes.

Monsieur le Président de la République du Sénégal, Maître ABDOULAYE WADE, Président en exercice du 11ème Sommet de l'OCI, et Parrain de cette manifestation, aurait bien voulu être personnellement présent aujourd'hui, mais il en a été empêché, en raison de la tenue au même moment d'un important sommet des chefs d'états de l'Afrique de l'ouest.

Le Président WADE, est le symbole vivant d'un grand homme d'état, dont le parcours politique exceptionnel est l'illustration parfaite de la vitalité du processus démocratique en Afrique en dépit des dérapages notés ça et la à travers le continent.

Nous sommes sûrs que le message qu'il adresse à ce Forum, et que va communiquer tout à l'heure, son représentant, M. l'Ambassadeur du Sénégal, inspirera nos travaux, à plus d'un titre.

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, nous avons l'honneur d'accueillir à cette occasion S. E. M. le Secrétaire général de l'OCI, le Professeur EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU qui, en dépit d'un programme extrêmement chargé, a tenu à venir à Genève, partager avec nous ce moment solennel.

Infatigable pèlerin et avocat bien averti des causes de la UMMAH Islamique, le P.R. IHSANOGLU œuvre de façon inlassable pour une meilleure prise en compte de la contribution essentielle que l'OCI cherche à apporter pour relever les défis majeurs qui interpellent la communauté internationale.

En sa qualité de Key-note speaker, il partagera avec nous ses préoccupations et sa vision face à ces multiples défis.

Monsieur le Directeur Général de l'Office des Nations Unies à Genève,

Il aurait été particulièrement difficile de tenir cette manifestation sans votre appui personnel et l'assistance précieuse de vos services, Nous voudrions une fois de plus vous en remercier bien vivement et apprécier à sa juste valeur votre présence parmi nous. Ceci démontre parfaitement l'importance que vous accordez aux rapports fructueux entre les Nations Unies et l'OCI.

Ces sincères remerciements s'adressent également à vous Madame le Haut Commissaire de droits de l'Homme à qui incombe la lourde tâche de veiller au quotidien sur le respect des engagements pris pur la promotion et la protection des Droits de l'Homme.

Votre riche expérience personnelle tirée d'un engagement militant dans votre propre pays, l'Afrique du Sud, laisse augurer des lendemains meilleurs dans la conduite du Haut Commissariat dans le renforcement de la défense des droits de l'homme.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Honourable invitees

While deciding to establish this Human Rights Council, during the Global UN Summit, in September 2005, in New York, Heads of States and governments highlighted their profound desire to reinforce Human Rights Mechanism. They renewed their commitment to defend and to promote Human Rights, rule of law and respect for democratic principles.

The President of the Human Rights Council, in his assessment last week, has appropriately put emphasis on the fact that the institution building package is now finally in place and has rightly call for the support and cooperation of the international community to enable the HRC to bridge the gap between declarative aspirations and the realisation of Human Rights and dignity of all.

I would like to cease this opportunity to congratulate him for the excellent manner he is chairing the proceedings of the Council in the same line with his brilliant predecessors Ambassadors DE ALBA of Mexico and COSTEA of Romania

The OIC group in GENEVA, which has played a leading and constructive role in the institutions building process under the very able direction of Ambassador Massood KHAN of Pakistan, will continue to assume to the council its full support.

I am sure that Mrs THEMINA JANJUA, who is a very active and efficient actor in the process, will confirm this commitment on behalf of the OIC new group coordinator Ambassador Zamir AKRAM.

 

Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, Honorables invités

Je ne saurais terminer sans vous remercier tous de votre soutien et surtout d'avoir bien voulu répondre à notre invitation. Nos remerciements s'adressent particulièrement aux Ambassadeurs d'Algérie, d'Afghanistan, d'Iran, du Yémen, de Turquie, d'Indonésie et du Pakistan qui ont bien voulu nous fournir quelques tableaux pour l'exposition aux bords de la salle de conférence et des groupes musicaux qui vont animer ce soir la réception de clôture de la journée.

Nous savons que beaucoup d'autres missions auraient souhaité contribuer au volet culturel de cette manifestation mais n'ont pu le faire en raison de contraintes de temps et d'espace.

Nous osons croire que, dans un monde qui est frappé de plein fouet par des crises multiples et qui s'interroge sur son devenir, ces moments d'échanges et de réflexions permettront de dégager quelques perspectives heureuses pour la réalisation concrète des grands desseins de la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l'Homme dans un esprit de coopération et de solidarité.

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It is a distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations. Allow me, at the outset, to thank the Organization of the Islamic Conference for this initiative to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The anniversary is an important opportunity for us all to promote the ideals and principles of this landmark document, and we appreciate the OIC's contribution.

The Universal Declaration embodies the international community's commitment to human dignity. Together with the United Nations Charter, the Declaration represents one of the most powerful expressions of our universally shared values. As we celebrate its first sixty years, we must recognize that the promise of the Declaration remains unfulfilled for too many across the world. We must redouble our efforts to turn these commitments into reality for all. Furthering the cause of human rights is an integral part of the United Nations' broader efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity to all the world's peoples.

This is indeed a challenge for the whole human family, where the experience and expertise of all stakeholders must be integrated, and I welcome the focus today on bringing together different institutional actors to draw on their individual knowledge and strengths. The objectives of our respective Organizations are mutually reinforcing – and so must be our activities. As part of the ongoing effort to enhance cooperation, I chaired in July of this year, together with Ambassador Salehi of the OIC, the second general meeting of the organizations and agencies of the United Nations system and OIC. At the meeting, it was agreed to improve coordination and follow-up mechanisms by building institutional linkages between the two organizations. Today, we will touch on many of the issues discussed at the coordination meeting in July.

Part of the discussion today is devoted to human rights and cultural diversity. Human rights are indeed the indispensable foundation and framework for an inter-cultural dialogue that prioritizes shared values and aspirations. Human rights are universal and indivisible. They apply to all, regardless of cultural, social and economic contexts, because the rights and obligations contained in our human rights instruments have been adopted, signed and ratified by the overwhelming majority of States.

Yet, sadly, we experience almost daily the polarizing effects of prejudice and mistrust among the peoples of the world. We must therefore place renewed emphasis on such an inter-cultural dialogue, firmly grounded in respect for universal human rights so that we can rebuild bridges and promote tolerance.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations provides a valuable platform for this necessary dialogue to bridge divides and help to counter the forces that fuel extremism. The United Nations values highly the OIC's efforts to advance appreciation of the value of cultural diversity through its active participation in the Group of Friends of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our universally shared values remain vital to our collective action to meet the challenges of our time. We have a strong common interest in addressing pressing issues of peace and security, in confronting poverty and advancing the Millennium Development Goals - the MDGs.

I am therefore encouraged by today's focus on development and humanitarian assistance. At a time when deep economic and financial uncertainty threatens to undo hard-won development gains and undermines efforts to meet the deadline for the MDGs, we must bolster our international collaboration to improve the lives of our most vulnerable fellow human beings. That is why it was important that high-level representatives of more than 160 countries came together in Doha at the end of November for the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, affirming their continued commitment to the development agenda, despite the financial crisis. We must sustain this momentum.

Together, we face daunting challenges. And, together, we can take on these challenges to advance security, development and respect for human rights, inspired and guided by our universally shared values. I have no doubt that today's discussions will help to reinforce our cooperation towards these objectives.

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I welcome this opportunity to address the Organization of Islamic Conference Inter-Institutional Forum on Universal Shared Values: Challenges and New Paradigms and would like to thank the OIC for organizing this important event as a contribution to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The anniversary, celebrated all over the world, was a powerful reminder of what binds all of us: our common humanity, our inherent dignity and the expression of shared values.

Indeed, the Universal Declaration represented the first international agreement setting out freedoms, rights and entitlements for all humanity to claim. Emerging from the tragedy of World War II, the Universal Declaration highlighted, as never before, the need for mutual understanding and collaboration, as well as the dangers of intolerance and divisiveness.

Six decades ago, it affirmed that the force of shared ideas and a common vision of respectful and peaceful coexistence can prevail over brutality, hatred and destruction. Since then, the world may have changed a great deal, but the recognition of our inherent kinship in rights, of our common claim to a life in dignity, of our right to count and be counted irrespective of our ancestry, gender and colour, status and faith applies to today's realities as much as it did in 1948.

And so does the Universal Declaration's emphasis on the inextricable relationship between fundamental freedoms and social justice, and the connection of both these elements with peace and security. By not ranking rights, the Declaration clearly expressed the equal status of political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as their interdependence. It envisaged a world in which every man, woman and child lives in dignity, free from hunger, violence and discrimination, and enjoys the benefits of housing, health care, education and opportunity.

It is this understanding of shared aspirations and values that prompted a majority of countries to absorb the Universal Declaration's principles in their constitutions and laws. Dedicated international, regional and national mechanisms have been put in place to be both the custodians and the monitors of human rights, their promotion and protection. Although diverse in methods and approaches, these mechanisms and institutions employ the human rights common platform to make the world a better, more just and safer place. A growing body of best practices in the implementation of the human rights standards that fleshed out the Declaration's principles is increasingly shared across national and regional divides.

This is because, irrespective of gender or culture, origin, religion or race, communal welfare hinges upon global respect and promotion of all rights, freedom and liberty, as well as economic, cultural and social rights.

Despite all our advances in law and practice, and despite our increasing and a deepening understanding of the practical meaning of human rights, serious implementation gaps remain in protecting people from fear, injustice and inequality. There is no doubt that repression, discrimination and poverty challenge us today just as they did the framers of the Universal Declaration. At the same time, daunting new challenges are emerging, such as climate change, the food and financial crises, globalization, terrorism, and new or resurgent epidemics. The sheer magnitude and the multifaceted aspects of the tasks ahead of us require collective efforts predicated on the common ground of our human condition and universal acceptance of the rule of law.

Yet doubts on the universality of rights continue to hamper international cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights. Some critics maintain that the Declaration went too far in promoting the freedoms and values of liberal traditions. Others hold that its framers did not go far enough, and that liberty occupies a higher plane than material welfare. Yet such skepticism is more often expressed by duty-bearers than by rights-holders. While the promotion and implementation of human rights standards demand sensitivity to context, the universality of the essential values and aspirations embodied in these commitments are beyond doubt, as expressed in the Vienna Declaration which states and I quote:

"All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated. The international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis. While the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms." (Art.5. End quote)

My own personal experience has taught me that nothing is more important in the fight against repression and discrimination than the right to voice one's values, opinions and criticisms, as well as the solidarity of those who, no matter how remote from our homes and plight, can help us in this fight. This is how resistance to authoritarianism and discrimination is built, cooperation and solidarity fostered, minorities protected and barriers to human rights removed.

In the era of globalization, ever-increasing migration and intersection of cultures, sharing experiences and educating others about one's traditions foster a cross-fertilization of cultures. Crucially, it represents a compelling response to mounting intolerance and discrimination. The wealth of diversity that we are fortunate to experience today should be seen as both a challenge and an opportunity to promote harmonious social interactions and human rights for everyone.

The truth is that the Universal Declaration was not merely congruent with some customs and foreign to other cultures. It drew its principles from many diverse traditions, and it made them more robust through a uniform codification.

Distinguished Participants,
OHCHR recently organised an expert seminar on the links between articles 19 and 20 of the ICCPR or between freedom of expression and advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. It is incumbent upon all to employ the spiritual basis for tolerance to promote understanding for diversity so that even contrasting views and convictions can be freely and respectfully expressed in the public arena. Expressions that amount to incitement to racial or religious hatred should be acted upon in an urgent but proportionate manner. However, speech critical of religions does not necessarily constitute such incitement. Each case should be assessed on its own circumstances and in accordance with all relevant international human right standards, while stressing the importance of protecting the rights of both religious minorities and of non-believers alike.

Let me conclude by once again emphasizing that human rights are genuinely universal and deeply rooted in all civilizations and cultures. They are not the product and the exclusive preserve of specific doctrines and traditions. I would like to thank all participants for joining us in cherishing and upholding human rights as the product of our common aspirations and destiny.

Let me conclude by once again emphasizing that human rights are genuinely universal and deeply rooted in all civilizations and cultures. They are not the product and the exclusive preserve of specific doctrines and traditions. I would like to thank all participants for joining us in cherishing and upholding human rights as the product of our common aspirations and destiny.

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Let me begin by saying how pleased I am to welcome you all to this OIC-inter institutional Forum on Universal Shared Values: Challenges and New Paradigm, which is organized to commemorate and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I would like at the outset to pay tribute to H. E. President Abdoulaye WADE, President of the Republic of Senegal, and Chairman of the OIC Summit for kindly providing his patronage and support.

Mr. Director General, let me also sincerely thank you and your staff for your valuable support and for the excellent facilities provided to us on this occasion.

I would also like to thank the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the Vice President of the Human Rights Council for being with us this morning.

In organizing this Forum, the objective of the OIC has been to give opportunity to all stakeholders from inter-governmental organizations, UN specialized agencies, government representatives and civil society institutions to make their own assessment on the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and submit appropriate solutions to address the new challenges that we face in promotion of human rights and cultural diversity.

The OIC sees the Universal Declaration more than a treaty. It is a powerful statement of common standards and shared values; an extension of the UN Charter; the basis for the International Bill of Human Rights; and part of the international customary law. It is remarkable that the Declaration generates political consensus, despite the ideological, religious, intellectual and the cultural diversity of the international community. It can thus be safely called the collective expression of human conscience. It has withstood the test of time and resisted attacks based on “relativism”. The Declaration and its core values, including non-discrimination, equity, equality, and universality, apply to everyone, everywhere and always. Therefore, the UDHR belongs to all of us.

Islam, fourteen centuries ago, established an exemplary code for human rights. The major objective of this code is to confer on all human beings dignity and honour, and to eliminate injustice, oppression and exploitation. Human rights in Islam are firmly rooted in the equality among all mankind, transcending all considerations of place, colour, language and social status. These rights are part and parcel of the teaching of Islam that no ruler, government, assembly or authority can alter, curtail or violate in any way. Moreover, these rights go long way in line with the contemporary concept of human rights.

In recent times, the OIC member countries have made substantial contributions to the development of the Universal Declaration and the two International Covenants. The travaux preparatoire of these documents records valuable inputs given by the OIC member states on social justice, indivisibility of human rights, right to self-determination and religious freedom.

The OIC sees the Universal Declaration as a global metaphor connecting all humanity. It is a living document. Its full import needs to be invoked to face contemporary challenges, like the rising tide of incitement to religious hatred and discrimination and intolerance targeting Muslims. Attempts to equate Islam with terrorism should also be stopped. Stereotyping and demonization of Muslims should be combated.

The inherent negativity and stereotypical images disseminated are increasingly becoming source of grave concern to us and to all peace-loving circles in the world as these practices tend to incite hatred, discrimination and intolerance. While we emphasize the increasing trend of Islamophobia, we, at the same time offer our cooperation to address anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and anti-Western misperceptions as well.

By linking the crimes committed by a small fringe of misguided individuals with Islam and its teachings, these circles grant these criminals a premise, anchor and justification that they don't own or deserve, and encourage them to persevere in their objectionable deeds. In so doing, they do not help in combating terrorism.

Here I need to clarify the position of the OIC vis-à-vis the notion of “defamation of religions” which seems to create some misunderstanding and misinterpretations in some circles.

As far as Islam is concerned, our aim is not to protect religion against critics based on objective and rational interrogation. It is a fundamental principle in Islam for the believer to always question himself/herself, not only on the way he/she is practicing the Islamic teachings but also how to readapt to any practical circumstances and specific environments. What we are concerned about is the tendency of a new episode of extremist behavior against the adherents of a particular religion who are currently subjects of defamation, incitement to hatred, violence and racial discrimination.

This is not the only matter of national or local concern but it should be seen as a globalized phenomenon which needs to be addressed globally in an effective manner.

At the same time, the OIC is firmly committed to respect for freedom of expression which is a fundamental human rights. The OIC is not looking for limitation or restrictions of this freedom beyond those that already have been set by Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The line, the limit between criticism of religions and insult/incitement to hatred should be clarified. Each case should be taken up on its own merits. We have to be sure about what constitutes criticism but not incitement to hatred. For example, when somebody calls for burning of our holy book Qur`an, can it be considered as mere criticism? When the cemetery tombs of Muslim soldiers who fought for the flag of an European nation and sacrificed their lives are desecrated by extremists and racists, is it criticism of religion or an act of hatred and racism?

We believe that there is no freedom without responsibilities and accountabilities. To our regret, freedom of expression has been abused and exploited by some for obvious political, financial and other gains. What is needed is practical local and international mechanisms to address acts of incitement to religious or racial hatred which constitute a dangerous threat for the preservation of peace and harmony among communities. Combating ignorance and misunderstanding, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and exchanges, encouraging education on cultural diversity and mutual respect are some avenues to create and sustain a viable atmosphere of peaceful coexistence. We need to strengthen our efforts on this perspective. The OIC will continue to work with other international partners such as UNESCO, Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat, Council of Europe, OSCE and EU institutions in order to foster dialogue between the West and the Muslim World and to face challenges posed by misperceptions, stereotypes and misinformation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The OIC is going through a phase of introspection and soul searching on human rights. As the first major step in this field, the OIC adopted in the year 2000, the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam (CDHRI). This Declaration was not conceived as an alternative to the Universal Declaration even though it additionally addresses religious and cultural specificity of the Muslim countries. The OIC has moved beyond the Cairo Declaration. In December 2005, OIC leaders at their Third Extraordinary Summit Conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia unanimously declared that contemporary reform and development must be anchored in the principles of good governance, protection of human rights, social justice, transparency and accountability. The Summit outlined a Ten-Year Programme of Action with a road map for enhancement of human rights, for striving for enlargement of political participation and promotion of equality, civil liberties and social justice in the OIC member states. The new OIC Charter adopted during the last OIC Summit in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2008, called for the establishment of an independent permanent Commission to promote “the civil, political, social and economic rights enshrined in the organization's covenants, the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights, and in universally agreed human rights instruments”. In accordance with these provisions, the OIC member states are also committed to strengthening their national laws and regulations to guarantee respect for human rights in their respected countries.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen;

The 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights is also coinciding with the birth of the United Nations Human Rights Council as a safeguarding mechanism for promoting and protecting all human rights based on the principles of universally, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation. The OIC attaches great importance to these fundamental principles and would like to see them fully adhered to in the working methods of the Council.

To this end, the OIC countries continue to remain committed to the spirit of interactive and constructive dialogue with the rest of the international community for the success of our new Council. Once again, I echo the core message of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2006, to the Human Rights Council, which underlined the following principles: (a) universality, objectivity and non-selectivity (b) cooperation and genuine dialogue to strengthen the capacity of states to comply with human rights obligations and (c) enhanced dialogue to broaden understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

We welcome the current discussions of the Durban Review Conference and Working Group on the follow up to the Durban Conference. It should help strengthen its preparatory process which is long over due. The upcoming Durban Review Conference should provide us all an opportunity to discuss the contemporary scourge of racism as well as to suggest the most practical and efficient solutions to deal with them.

In its written contribution to the Preparatory process of Durban Review Conference, the OIC group in Geneva highlighted the daunting challenges to be overcome in this battle with reference to reports of a number of independent UN and EU experts including the European Monitoring Center for Racism and Xenophobia. Many obstacles should be vigorously addressed such as weak legislation and policies, lack of moral education and practical strategies, non implementation of international legal framework and commitment by some, persisting impunity on different ground such as freedom of expression, and sharp increase in the extreme right wing, xenophobic political platforms. The concrete proposals and recommendations provided by the OIC group in Geneva should be duly taken on board to address those challenges practically and efficiently.

The OIC had made it clear that the Durban Review process should not be a politically motivated process or an anti-Semitic exercise. It should be, on the contrary an inclusive process, where all stakeholders should be free to address the real and serious challenges of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.

I seize this opportunity to echo and support the call of the new High Commissioner on Human Rights for an active and positive participation of all stakeholders in the next year Durban Review Conference in Geneva.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

While the international community is concluding a year long campaign of awareness in the context of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we, in reality, have also mourned some of the failures of the international community, including the Human Rights Council in implementing its mandates and relevant resolutions for combating the systematic violations of basic rights of the Palestinian people during the last 45 years.

Since the inception of the Council, we have witnessed rejection to allow delegations to investigate the abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Human Rights Council can not and should not be indifferent to this defiance while being called upon to take concrete measures for dealing with the systematic human rights abuses against Palestinian people and should devise new ways by which to ensure the protection of the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

When addressing human rights challenges, we should not neglect or underestimate the crucial socio-economic problems faced by the least developed and under-developed countries, such as extreme poverty, illiteracy, hunger, endemic diseases and lack of access to health care. All these challenges are being aggravated by the negative impact of cyclical environmental disturbances and climate change.

We should give full consideration to those developmental challenges which constitute serious obstacles in implementing the noble objectives of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this regard, I call for reinforcement of cooperation and better coordination of international efforts in order to provide sustainable solutions to those problems. From our part, within the new vision of our Organization enshrined in our new Charter and Ten Year Program of Action, we identified the above socio-economic challenges including women, child and family issues as priority areas for our joint action. Therefore, I am extremely happy that the second section of this forum is dedicated to development and humanitarian assistance issues during which we will be able to present information on the activities of our newly created Humanitarian Affairs Department.

Let me conclude by restating once again that we are in a defining moment in carrying out our share of responsibilities. A year long celebration for the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the start of the new institution of Human Rights Council, give us ample opportunities to reevaluate the past performances and take concrete measures to protect and promote human rights for all and combat new manifestations of racism, discrimination and xenophobia. This is a global challenge which, like all other challenges, needs collective efforts to deal with. So let begin the long journey, supported by our belief in and conviction of the justice for all and with the help of our collective wisdom which had proven in the past to be the best guarantor of safeguarding human dignity and rights for all.

When we celebrate the 60th Anniversary, we should certainly be inspired by and cherish the impressive progress and success of humanity in the past 60 years, despite all the wars, aggressions, gross violations of human rights and crimes against humanity in many parts of the world which caused immense suffering for millions of people. Therefore it is our sincere hope that the future will witness less black stains in the record of human rights globally and the balance sheet will look more reflect more positive than today.

Myself, as the OIC Secretary General, would like to state in all sincerity that we will do our best to uphold and defend for all, the lofty values of the Universal Declaration in cooperation with the international community.

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