OIC Press Release

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz, emphasized that, compared to other faiths and creeds , Islam has the distinction of having brought fourth an innovative broad-scope conception of Human Rights, of a comprehensive and integrated dimension that is crystallized in the notion of "Human Dignity" anchored in Man’s relation with his Creator on the one hand, and with his fellowmen on the other, in addition to its attentive consideration for human feelings and emotions as well as for other moral and spiritual values which together form the brick and mortar of what is commonly known as Human Dignity.

This statement was made within the framework of the OIC Secretary General’s address today Thursday 14^th March 2002 at the" Symposium on Human Rights in Islam" currently being held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, having been called for and organized by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. His Excellency pointed out that, for Human Dignity to be achieved and preserved, a whole range of requirements have to be met, such as social justice and equity between citizens off all categories, classes and creeds, and calls similarly for the imperative all-incompassing implementation of democracy, along with the integrity of the judicature and the righteousness of the ruling figures combined with the guarantee of public freedoms. His Excellency also noted that these premises form the foundation that underlies the OIC’s interest in human rights and which prompted it to evolve and adopt ,much earlier on, a set of convenants and agreements such as the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights, to name but one. His Excellency the Secretary General disclaimed any relation between this symposium and the reverberations of the tragic events of 11^th September 2001 in the United States of America, as the symposium itself had been scheduled over a year ago, well before September 2001. Nevertheless, His Excellency added, the current international context that has developed in the aftermath of the 11 September events gives this symposium and its theme increased weight and relevance and makes it an even more opportune occasion to clarify the position of the Islamic faith vis-à-vis many a development of international dimension taking place in this European part of the world. Dr Abdelouahed Belkeziz expressed the view that the slander campaigns against Islam which portray it as a faith that underrates human rights ,as well as the campaigns against the Islamic civilization,are a manifestation of a blatant abuse and injustice against Islam and its followers. In his Excellency’s words: " We have in fact seen how states that are committed to the defense of human rights and public freedoms have turned their back to these very principles when they came under a horrendous terrorist attack that was universally condemned by the whole world led by all Islamic countries. Those states even committed violations and reprisals against innocent people in a way that is unjustified by any measure of justice be it locally or internationally and runs diametrically opposed to the principles of respecting human rights and public freedoms, thus revealing the tenuous nature of the respect those states have for the principles in question".

In his concluding remarks, the OIC Secretary General called for a firm and consistent upholding of human rights which he views as a major achievement benefiting mankind at large and susceptible to help ensure that peace ,security welfare, and acceptance of the other prevail, and hence contribute to the advancement of humanity towards better prospects of social peace, prosperity ,progress and shared human dignity for all. Lastly His Excellency wished the participants and attendees full success in their proceedings and the outcome thereof..

After that, the first session of the symposium started under the chairmanship of Dr Murad Hofman, Legal adviser to The Central Council in Germany and former career diplomat. In this session three papers were presented, the first under the title of "War Against Terrorism and its Effect on Human Rights’ by Dr Ahmed al Mufti, director general of the International Center for Human Rights in Khartoum, Republic of Sudan. The second paper addressed ‘The Rights of Self-determination" by Dr Hussein Mahrobor, lecturer of Islamic Jurisprudence and law and advisor to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As for the third paper, it was titled "Legal Rights, Sanctions and Retribution" by Dr Omar Jah, lecturer at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization in Malaysia. The first session was wrapped up with an open debate on the three papers submitted. According to the symposium’s two-day program of work,(14-15 March 2002), a number of papers will be discussed as submitted by the speakers, intellectuals, researchers and scholars, in addition to diplomats who have been invited to take part in the symposium and its deliberations and enrich its program with their personal views. Among the prominent figures invited to participate in the symposium, mention may be made of Dr. Mohamed Saleem Al Awa , acclaimed Muslim professor and intellectual, Dr. Ahmed Sidqui Al Dajani,member of the Palestiian National Council and member of the Moroccan Royal Academy, and H.E Dr Chedli Klibi, former Secretary General of the League of Arab States .

----------------