'Protecting Human Rights is Vital for attaining MDGs'- IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud
IIMSAM Middle East Director & Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Naseer Homoud message on International Human Rights Day. Dr. Homoud said protection of human rights is on forefront of prerequisites for attaining United Nations Millennium Developments Goals.
- (1888PressRelease) December 10, 2010 - Observing 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 said "it gives me great pleasure to commemorate the Human Rights Day. This day commemorates the proclamation in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations". He said the Human Rights Day is not an occasion merely to celebrate, but also one of stocktaking to assess the progress made in protection of human rights of the human family in the global village, and in the promotion of the human rights culture. "Those who strive for the promotion and protection of human rights can never be satisfied with their endeavors. The struggle to ensure respect for the dignity and worth of the human person knows no end anywhere in the world. On International Human Rights Day, December 10, nations that claim to support freedom worldwide should pledge to strengthen international institutions dedicated to human rights, many of which are weak or currently under attack", said Dr. Homoud.
The Goodwill Ambassador urged the international community to put human rights at the heart of policy making and to adopt self-determination as a key driver to resolve conflicts in a democratic and peaceful manner, in accordance with international law. "On this day, IIMSAM Middle East Office honors the brave men and women around the world who are working to expand freedom in their countries. However, international institutions, which have a critical role to play in amplifying their voices and protecting their work, are under threat and must be defended", said Dr. Homoud. He further said "it is when times are hard that the commitment to protecting human rights is tested most severely. History tells us that an economic downturn usually lead to a rise in prejudice and discrimination. We must redouble our efforts to fight them, as well as the resulting intolerance. Governments and stakeholders must not allow the economic crisis to become a human rights catastrophe".
Speaking on this occasion Dr. Homoud said that the evolution of human society has followed the path from agricultural society to industrial, information and the present day knowledge society. In agricultural and industrial society, humans and machines dominated the warfare. In the information and knowledge society, intellectual capacity would dominate. Intellectual domination is represented by ideologies, principles and faiths. Whenever they cross paths between individuals, societies and nations, the human rights are violated. He said "the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law should be inherent in any civilized society. Adherence to these principles constitutes the prerequisite for peace, development and security in any society".
Dr. Homoud while linking the Human Rights and Millennium Development Goals reminded that the MDGs and human rights have common objectives- to preserve and protect human dignity. While there are many different contributors to poverty, injustice and discrimination are omnipresent and always constitute an outright denial of human rights. It is for this reason that there are extensive direct linkages between human rights provisions and the MDGs. For each goal there are often corresponding human rights obligations, standards or norms. "The challenge is, therefore, to ensure that the normative power of human rights and the practical and political traction of the MDGs are brought together, and for diverse groups to work in concert approach to ensure that governments meet their commitments and obligations. In this way, we can work towards our common goals of human dignity and a world free of poverty and injustice", said Dr. Homoud. He went on to say "the human rights framework provides an important tool for achieving the MDGs by helping to ensure the goals are pursued in an equitable, just and sustainable manner. It also adds an unquestionable normative framework that grounds development work within a universal set of values. Linking MDGs and human rights, helps us stay true to the spirit and vision of the Millennium Declaration, which places human rights at the heart of efforts to achieve human development".
Dr. Homoud urged governments and stakeholders to support IIMSAM for accomplishment of its goals. He briefed that IIMSAM under high patronage and guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona, its Secretary General is working on eradicating hunger and malnutrition from the world through Spirulina. He said "malnutrition causes a great deal of physical and emotional suffering and it is a violation of human rights of the sufferer". He reminded that the role and contribution of spreading Spirulina in encountering the problems of hunger and malnutrition cannot be negated as it has proved its medicinal credentials in the prevailing social and material conditions of the world. "Only by using it in the developing as well as least developed countries of the third world, we can be able to achieve the humanitarian targets set by us, thus securing humanity of all the basic evils and paving way for future peace, stability, progress, advancement and overall improvement of humanity. Its spread and use is fully concomitant and consonant with the basic and the most fundamental human rights to live and to food without which our future goals will never be achieved", said Dr. Homoud.
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