JEDDAH: A debate on the importance of cultural diversity in the promotion and protection of human rights was held at the 12th regular session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) in Jeddah on Wednesday.
An outcome document on the subject was also adopted by the commission.
The session was attended by representatives of the OIC secretary-general, senior officials of the OIC General Secretariat, international human rights experts including Dr. Doudou Diene, former UN special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, and Ambassador Nureldin Satti, former director of the UNESCO Dar Es-Salaam Cluster Office.
Representatives of OIC member and observer states and their National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) also attended open proceedings during the five-day session.
Topics discussed included Israeli human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories; civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in OIC member states as well as specific mandates given to it by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers such as Islamophobia; the rights of women and children; the right to development; the standing mechanism for monitoring human rights in Indian-occupied Kashmir, as well as the human rights of Muslim minorities in Myanmar and the Central African Republic.
A ceremony commemorated the services of outgoing and retired commission members Dr. Saeed Alghufli, Dr. Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, Prof. Saleh Alkhatlan, Dr. Ergin Ergul, Mahamad Albachir and Ambassador Abdul Wahab. A commemorative shield was presented to them by Med S. K. Kaggwa, IPHRC chairperson, and Ambassador Samir Bakr, representative of the OIC secretary-general.
The IPHRC Secretariat, in collaboration with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, organized a workshop on Thursday for training on Human Rights Council mechanisms such as universal periodic review, advisory committee and special procedures and also on UN treaty bodies systems, including how to write periodic reports.
Human rights debated at Organization of Islamic Cooperation commission in Jeddah
Human rights debated at Organization of Islamic Cooperation commission in Jeddah
UAE, Syria foreign ministers arrive in Riyadh
- Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji
RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.
New Syrian foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani also arrived in Riyadh on Saturday evening to participate in the ministerial meeting.
He was also welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Al-Khuraiji.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
- The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.
The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.
GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.
During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.
Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.
The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.
Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.
Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.
The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.
Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.
The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.
The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.
