The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) recently participated in a high-level event on Gaza as part of the 23rd regular session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The NHRC emphasized the need for more Arab and Islamic countries to join the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to press charges against the Israeli entity for its international crimes in Gaza. Additionally, the NHRC called for diplomatic channels with the European Union to prevent the supply of weapons to Israel and to support the boycott of Israeli goods.
The Head of the Legal Affairs Department at NHRC, Nasser Marzouq Sultan Al Marri, urged National Human Rights Institutions of Arab and Islamic countries to strengthen relations with Western public opinion in order to pressure for an immediate cessation of the Israeli war in Gaza. Al Marri also called on governments to recognize the State of Palestine as a full United Nations member, citing the examples of Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and Armenia. The NHRC also presented a working paper at the OIC session on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human rights, advocating for the integration of human rights and ethics into AI systems and the implementation of regulations to manage AI applications.
The NHRC emphasized the importance of finding safe and reliable methods to develop AI systems in a way that safeguards human rights and prevents adverse impacts. The Committee called for multi-party and multi-dimensional cooperation involving states, companies, civil society, and national human rights institutions to ensure that digital technology serves peace, prosperity, dignity, and the best interests of humanity. The NHRC also proposed the adoption of a binding international agreement to regulate AI, as well as the drafting of a regional Arab or Islamic convention to address these issues.
Overall, the NHRC’s participation in the OIC session highlights the organization’s commitment to promoting human rights and advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people in Gaza. By urging for diplomatic efforts, boycotts, and legal actions against the Israeli entity, the NHRC aims to bring attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and work towards a peaceful resolution. Additionally, the NHRC’s focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human rights demonstrates the organization’s dedication to addressing emerging technology trends and ensuring that human rights are protected in the digital age.
