GCC leaders reaffirm support for human rights, dignity

Doha: The GCC leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their support for efforts aiming to enhance human rights and their commitment to protect human rights and dignity as per regional and international human rights laws and conventions.

This came as part of the “Human Rights Declaration", which was issued at the conclusion of the 35th GCC Summit, which ended in Doha Tuesday.

“The GCC leaders expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the joint efforts with international and regional communities at various levels, thereby contributed significantly and effectively to promoting human rights issues in the international community where human rights must be well protected,” the declaration said.

This stems out from the GCC countries’ deep belief in human dignity and respect for their rights, as well as from their commitment to the protection of human rights as guaranteed by Islamic law, which is the embodiment of the noble values and principles deeply rooted in GCC societies, and forms part of the basic principles of the policies of GCC nations at all levels, it added.

The declaration referred to the great attention and care given by the GCC nations to human rights issues as well as the achievements made in this regard.

It  illustrates the GCC’s commitment  to the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Arab Charter on Human Rights, the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, and relevant international and regional conventions and charters.

The 47-article declaration stipulates people’s right to be equal in rights and liberties as well as their rights to freedom of opinion and expression.

Article 1 states that every human being has the inherent right to life and this right must be protected. It also stipulates that the killing of another human being without justification or excuse is unlawful and

Article 2: All human beings are equal in human dignity and rights, and are equal before the law without discrimination because of origin, sex, religion, language, colour, or any other forms of discrimination.

Article 3: Slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking are prohibited in all forms, especially with regard to women and children

Article 4: Trafficking in human organs is prohibited, and is considered a violation of human rights and a crime punishable by law.

Article 5: It is prohibited to conduct medical or scientific experiments on human beings, or exploitation of human origins without his free consent and his full awareness of medical complications that may result.

Article 6: Every human being is entitled to the freedom of belief and practicing religious rituals  as per with the law, without prejudice to public order and morals.

Article 7:  Respect for divine religions, and no contempt or flouting of their prophets or their symbols, and respect for the cultural diversity of other Nations is guaranteed according to the law.