Jeddah, October 10, 2022, SPA -- The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held its 8th International Seminar on the subject of ‘Islamic Perspectives on Protection of Refugees: Rights and Access to Education’ in collaboration with the Government of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The two-day event was attended by IPHRC Members along with experts from academia, multilateral and intergovernmental organizations, as well as the representatives of OIC Member and Observer States including their National Human Rights Institutions. The event was inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato Sri Saifuddin Abdullah and IPHRC Chairperson Dr. Haci Ali Acikgul.
In addition to comprehensive presentations made by the experts, participants of the Seminar analysed on-going international, regional and OIC’s initiatives and frameworks related to protection of rights of refugees, especially related to their access to education; identified gaps and suggested way forward, including building capacities and capabilities of host countries to best provide educational opportunities for refugee children; address gender dimensions of refugee education, including online learning opportunities; strengthen national legislations and development plans in improving refugee access to education, and identified avenues for enhanced international cooperation to address refugee issues.
Based on comprehensive deliberations and concrete recommendations during the Seminar, IPHRC adopted the ‘Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Rights and Access to Education for Refugees’ as an outcome of the Seminar. The Declaration proposes establishing a special institution, mechanism, or fund within the OIC system through a mandate by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to systematically improve the welfare of refugee communities in OIC countries on the basis of burden-sharing approach.
The Seminar also welcomed the recent establishment of the Global Islamic Refugee Fund (GIFR) as an innovative Shariah compliant tool for investment into humanitarian response to forced displacement, by the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), the humanitarian arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), in partnership with the UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency, and urged OIC Member States to support the initiative to handle refugee issues and to safeguard their welfare including on education, health, and livelihood.
At the conclusion of the Seminar, the IPHRC Chairperson appreciated the dynamic leadership and commendable role played by Malaysia and other OIC Member States in the field of human rights and emphasized the need to develop collaborative linkages among all OIC Member States, OIC and IPHRC for promoting best practices to ensure full protection of refugee rights in accordance with Islamic teachings and international human rights law.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
