Jeddah: The 25th regular session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) commenced at the General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah. The session, attended by OIC Secretary-General Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, representatives from member states, and commission members and experts, focuses on addressing critical human rights issues.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the session's agenda includes discussions on the human rights situation in occupied Palestine and other regions, as well as civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights within OIC member states. Additionally, the rights of women and children are key topics of concern. The OIC Secretary-General highlighted the importance of cooperation, capacity building, and investment in water infrastructure, urging stakeholders to protect water as a shared human heritage.
The session's opening discussion, titled "The International/Normal and Islamic Legal Perspective on the Human Right to Water," featured insights from experts such as Mr. Pedro Orujo Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and Dr. Mohamed El Amin Mohamed Sila of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. The session was concluded by Dr. Davron Ishnazarov from SESRIC.
The second session included contributions from Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee, Counselor Mohammed Ali Al Shehhi of the Arab Charter Committee, and Ambassador Aftab Ahmed Khokhar of the OIC's General Secretariat. Experts like Dr. Nizar Zayed from the Islamic Development Bank and Dr. Wissam Shehadeh from ICESCO also participated.
The five-day session will continue until July 17, 2025, with the aim of fostering dialogue and collaboration on pressing human rights issues across the Islamic world.
