International laws agree on one aspect of good governance. It relates to the observance and upholding of human rights. This commitment stems from the United Nations Charter, which affirms the faith of the peoples of the world in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and the worth of the human person.
Over the last year, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-IPHRC) has come under international scrutiny on two major issues. First, has it been able to focus on important human rights issues and their violation in the Islamic countries? Secondly, has it been able address the problem of "unjust application of force by the non-Muslim majority on the peoples of the Islamic faith living in Myanmar and Sri Lanka?
The OIC-IPHRC seems to be moving in the right direction. This has been reflected in the messages it has issued over the last few months, including the April 08 statement, condemning in the strongest terms the abuse of human rights of the Palestinians in Gaza by Israel.
The OIC-IPHRC has called for an immediate end to the ongoing Israeli aggression and has also been critical of the inaction on the part of the UN Security Council in this regard. It has urged the UN to commence immediate and independent investigations of the ongoing human rights violations so that the perpetrators can be held accountable in the International Court of Justice.
Similarly on March 1, 2018 the IPHRC, consistent with human rights expectations has condemned the loss of innocent lives in the Eastern Ghoutha in Syria, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities against the civilians and urged respect for humanitarian and human rights laws. It has expressed its deep shock and anguish over loss of hundreds of innocent lives which include women and children, during recent escalation of hostilities in Eastern Ghoutha in Syria in one of the worst episodes of violence in the seven-year long unremitting internecine war that has continued in that country. The Commission has upheld that the targeting of innocent non-combatant civilians is a gross transgression of Islamic teachings and serious violation of international human rights law, which amounts to war crimes.
While strongly condemning the on-going human rights violations, the IPHRC has also reminded all parties to the conflict in Syria of their obligations to protect civilians and abide by international humanitarian and human rights law. The Commission has also courageously supported the observation made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that time has come for the Security Council to walk the talk to stop the colossal human sufferings in Syria. The Commission has welcomed the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2401 regarding Syria and has called on the parties to Syria's conflict to cease hostilities without delay, ensuring a "durable humanitarian pause" to enable unhindered humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations of the critically sick and wounded.
The IPHRC has been very vocal about the Rohingya crisis. It may be recalled that an OIC-IPHRC team visited the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar area in Bangladesh in the first week of January and then urged the Myanmar government on January 05, 2018 to take firm steps to immediately end the violence against its Rohingya population; bring the perpetrators of violence to justice; revise and replace all discriminatory policies and practices against them; and ensure a sustainable and voluntary return of Rohingya refugees in safety, security, dignity and with ensured livelihood to their homeland in Rakhine State. This was issued despite clear disagreement on this matter by Myanmar authorities supported by China and Russia.
Meanwhile, while observing the March 21 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2018', the IPHRC has affirmed its commitment to addressing and eradicating all forms of racism and ethnic oppression across the world. It has also underscored that Islam believes in the principle of equality among all human beings regardless of caste, colour, creed or religious beliefs. It has expressed regrets that, lately, the signs of intolerance and failure to accept diversity are ominously translating into a growing tide of xenophobia, hatred and discrimination based on one's race, religion, origin and ethnicity, not only in developing societies facing conflicts but also in the developed world. This is resulting in demonising the migrants, refugees and other minorities. One can hardly disagree with these observations. A culture of hate and intolerance is not conducive to creation of peaceful societies but is a threat to global peace and security.
The IPHRC has emphasised that hate speech, including Islamophobia, must be countered to ensure peaceful coexistence of all societies. It has underscored the need for implementing the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 that conveys global resolve to combat all forms of discrimination, hatred and violence based on one's religion or belief to avoid clash among cultures.
Meanwhile, the IPHRC has welcomed the adoption of Resolution No. 72/157 by the UN General Assembly on December 19, 2017 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 which recognise respect for cultural diversity as an integral element for ensuring sustainable development of nations and cultures through promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, tolerance, mutual respect, inter-cultural understanding and global citizenship and shared responsibility. Such a view was also underlined by the IPHRC in its statement while commemorating the the 2018 'World Interfaith Harmony Week' in January. It joined the international community in emphasising the imperative need for mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, dialogue among different faiths and religions and respect for diversity in all its dimensions to achieve sustainable and equitable development for creation of peaceful and inclusive societies.
The views of IPHRC need to be backed by the political will of OIC member states. All stakeholders and the international community should develop and implement strategies and best-practices to reduce racial injustices and dismantle racism and ethnic oppression worldwide. This can be further facilitated through global information networks promoting harmony between different cultural groups. It will also need the involvement of civil society including religious leaders, minorities and ethnic groups. Only then can we have the requisite unifying force for creation of resilient societies.
In the similar vein, the IPHRC on March 07 this year called for sustained engagement and empowerment of women to play their due role towards peace building, decision making and societal development and transformation. This is an important issue as it is generally assumed that there is discriminatory behaviour towards women in Muslim societies and efforts towards gender empowerment are missing. While observing the 'International Women's Day 2018', the IPHRC highlighted the importance of empowering women as agents of change to implement peace building and peace promoting strategies leading towards nation building and developing peaceful and progressive societies.
It has been pointed out that women are the primary caretakers for most of the world's children and elderly. Consequently, it is pertinent that their role in promoting peace be duly acknowledged and appreciated. Attention has also been drawn to the fact that the international peace and security architecture has long ignored women as they are not directly involved in wars and conflicts as combatants but only as victims as the most vulnerable segment of the population. It has also been stressed that women need to have an inclusive political role, be involved and given due role and recognition in all peace strategy processes and outcomes. Such a suggestion can only be interpreted as forward-looking and revolutionary.
Such a measure, if it can be followed and implemented within conflict-driven societies, would definitely help in shattering stereotypes and barriers regarding women, which impede realisation of their inherent human rights guaranteed to them by Islam.
Positive results arising out of removal of regressive practices and constructive engagement of women and in different aspects of national life - economic, social, cultural or political fields - based on equality and equity are already evident in Bangladesh. The other OIC member states may find inspiration from this example.
The IPHRC has emphasised the need of OIC member states to enhance international collaboration towards: (a) reviewing and strengthening of institutional frameworks and legislations pertaining to women with a view to improving their enforceability and creating synergies with gender sensitive international development mechanisms and (b) fostering of an enabling environment through advocacy, inter-sectoral coordination and good governance for effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the OIC Ten-Year Plan of Action to bring an end to the culture of gender-based poverty, abuse and exploitation. These are indeed very forward-looking proposals and reflect the autonomous nature of the IPHRC.
Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialized in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. [email protected]
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