IIMSAM to push for supporting human rights and its enforcement while commemorating Human Rights Day

While marking Human Rights Day Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “respect for human rights is one of the most fundamental and universal values of our world. All of us, in our official capacity and in our private lives, have a responsibility to promote and protect the rights of our fellow members of the human family, be that at home or elsewhere in the world”.

International Human Rights Day commemorates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration “recognized the equal and inalienable rights accorded to every human being” and “calls upon every individual and every institution of society to strive, by teaching and education, to promote respect for human rights and to secure their universal and effective recognition and implementation”.

He contended that the protection and promotion of human rights should be the core foundation of any legislation. It is to be ensured that any individual all across the world is guaranteed with his human rights. “In pursuit of this commitment, we will work and support organizations who are working in this field to ensure the protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in recognition of the universal, indivisible, interdependent and inter-related nature of all human rights”. Dr. Homoud added. “Every year, Human Rights Day reminds us of persisting human rights problems in our communities and in the world, and of the huge effort still needed, on the part of each and every one of us, to make human rights a certainty for all". He further said.

Dr. Homoud while speaking on the occasion called on everyone to take the opportunity provided by Human Rights Day to organize educational activities, disseminate good practices and launch future initiatives in this area, "in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among all those involved Human Rights Day should provide us with an opportunity to pay tribute to human rights educators. Indeed, human rights champions who, in formal and informal settings, in small or large communities, and often encountering difficulties and hazards, contribute to building a universal culture of human rights". He said while admiring the work the defenders of human rights all across the globe.

On this occasion of Human Rights Day, Dr. Homoud urged all governments to reaffirm their commitment to the total prohibition of torture and by Condemning torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and prohibiting it in their respective domestic legislations. He also advocated to ensure access to prisoners and abolishing secret detention all across the world and urged governments to prosecuting those responsible for torture and ill-treatment. Dr. Homoud stressed on the need of prohibiting the use of statements extracted under torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, whether the interrogation has taken place at home or abroad and to ratify the Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol, as well as other international treaties banning torture. “Today we recognize International Human Rights Day and renew our call to protect and uphold the principles and ideals upon which United Nations was founded and we have to ensure that domestic legislations supporting and defending human rights all across the globe are being practically implemented” Dr. Homoud added. He further said “Every human has rights. That is the essence of our humanity. It places on each of us the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights but also for those of others. That is the spirit of international solidarity. That is the true meaning of universal, indivisible human rights and it should be preserved”.

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day Dr. Homoud call upon the international community, especially the signatories of the 4th Geneva Convention, and human rights organizations to fulfill their responsibilities and urge all countries to respect articles of international law. Significantly, he urgently appealed to the international community to rescue and protect peoples who are deprived and victimized of gross violation of human rights.

Concluding his address to mark Human Rights Day he urged the gathering and media to support IIMSAM in accomplishment of its goals. He briefed that IIMSAM under high patronage and guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona, its Director General is working on eradicating hunger and malnutrition from the world through Spirulina. “If we are really serious in defending human rights, the first and foremost duty which is on our shoulders is to ensure that our fellow human beings are not deprived of food- the basic requirement to survive”. Dr. Homoud said while urging support for IIMSAM.