The Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, reaffirmed that the Organization’s interest in human rights in the Islamic world stems from its desire to redress misconceptions about the situation of rights and freedoms in the region. The focus is particularly on socioeconomic and cultural rights, he continued, while the interest reflects ICESCO’s firm resolve to overhaul national legislation to become compatible with international standards.

The statement was part of the DG’s address at the ceremony that the Ministry of State for Human Rights and Relations with Parliament in Morocco held yesterday, in celebration of the 72^nd Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under the theme “Together for Promoting Our Efforts to Protect Human Rights.”

Dr. AlMalik stated that the day constitutes an occasion to recall our common duties to achieve human dignity and promote the principles of equality, equity and the values of solidarity and tolerance. He added that humanity should remember all the lofty values shared between humans without any discrimination or exclusion. He then underlined the importance of human rights in their global and holistic dimensions regardless of the conflicts, wars, and tensions in a large part of the world.

“What binds humanity exceeds what divides it, thus the need for action to offer appropriate conditions for a dignified living for the entire world’s population,” the DG continued.

ICESCO DG highlighted that the major challenge to humanity lies in the ways of enforcing human rights in the context of crises, namely for the vulnerable. He noted that ICESCO, out of its awareness of the enormous challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered worldwide, took a string of measures to preserve the essential rights of the citizens of its Member States. The focus was namely on the educational, cultural, scientific, and communication fields and other rights falling under the sphere of its competence.

Dr. AlMalik also lauded Morocco’s efforts, under the leadership of H.M. King Mohammed VI, in human rights’ promotion. Morocco enacted a range of laws and decrees that are in line with the global standards and UN principles ensuring rights and freedoms for all. He then stressed ICESCO’s willingness to work in tandem with the Ministry under the partnership agreement that the parties signed during yesterday’s ceremony.

At the close of his address, ICESCO DG announced that the Organization will hold an international conference on human rights in the Islamic world that will bring together parliaments and civil society organizations. The aim, Dr. AlMalik added, is to review the pioneering experiences of their respective Member States, share expertise, and rectify misconceptions about their gains and defend important strategic interests.