HRC Partakes in 24th Regular Session of OIC’s IPHRC

English , Qatar - قطر , Snippets , / Monday, December 2nd, 2024

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Riyadh, December 01 (QNA) – The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) participated in the 24th regular session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia.

This participation featured a presentation of a working paper titled ‘The Right to Health’ delivered by Director of the Legal Affairs Department at NHRC Nasser Marzouq Al Marri.

During the session, NHRC advocated for the governance of social media and various applications of artificial intelligence to mitigate potential negative impacts on the right to health, including mental and psychological well-being.

It also highlighted national human rights institutions’ (NHRIs) significant role in upholding human rights.

NHRC also stressed the vital role of NHRIs in supporting communities to overcome crises and mitigate their impacts while ensuring minimal harm to human rights, with such efforts being central to the mandates of NHRIs.

It underscored the importance of preparedness to safeguard the right to health during emergencies, including natural disasters, crises, and armed conflicts. It called for local and international collaboration to develop preemptive emergency response plans addressing violations of the right to health, ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights. Moreover, focus extended to safeguarding the health rights of vulnerable groups, particularly during crises. Additionally, NHRC advocated for comprehensive awareness and training programmes for individuals and stakeholders on mitigating risks and violations of the right to health during emergencies.

Through the working paper titled ‘The Right to Health’ Al Marri highlighted the pivotal role of NHRIs in ensuring equitable access to all human rights, particularly the right to health, thereby contributing effectively to a better quality of life for all, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The Director of the Legal Affairs Department at NHRC explored the right to health from both Islamic and human rights perspectives, showcasing NHRC’s best practices in this regard.

Al Marri pointed out that from an Islamic perspective, the right to life is the second most significant human right, adding that this right cannot be fully realized without good health and a healthy environment, both of which are integral to the right to life.

He continued, “From an Islamic perspective, the right to health cannot be overlooked or sacrificed for other rights, including religious obligations. Islam considers health essential for preserving life and fulfilling religious duties. Only a healthy individual can effectively implement divine laws within society.” As for the human rights perspective, Al Marri referenced the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition of health, which encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease or infirmity.