Monitoring Desk
JEDDAH: Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the UN “Flash Appeal Turkiye” and urged the OIC Member States and relevant Institutions to generously contribute to the UN Fund to support Turkish victims of the devastating quake.
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha welcomed and commended the three-month “Flash Appeal Turkiye” launched on February 16, 2023 by the United Nations (UN) and aimed at mobilizing humanitarian aid to support Government-led response and victims of the devastating quakes that occurred in Turkiye, on 6 February 2023.
The OIC Secretary-General calls on the OIC Member States and concerned Institutions to generously contribute to this UN Fund, a statement issued by the OIC General-Secretariate said.
Taha also seizes the opportunity to express his gratitude and appreciation to the Member States that have supported Turkiye following the devastating earthquakes and calls for increased and sustained support for the Republic of Turkiye during these difficult times.
OIC Secretary-General meets UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Meanwhile, the OIC Secretary-General met with Volker Turk, UN Human Rights’ High Commissioner, on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council’s 52nd session.
The OIC Secretary-General welcomed Turk’s comprehensive approach to human rights. Taha highlighted that the OIC is very much dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights and that its mechanisms and covenants in this field align with international standards.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights lauded the role played by the OIC in human rights. He underlined the importance for the global community to celebrate, during the year 2023, the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Both parties discussed several issues of common interest, including the situation in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Muslim communities and minorities in non-OIC member States. They agreed on the need for the world community to tackle Islamophobia firmly and emphasized the importance of marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, on 15 March, according to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/254.
They reiterated to strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights.