JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened, at its headquarters in Jeddah, the third open-ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts Meeting to finalize the discussion of the draft OIC Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This important discussion took place amidst the escalation and deterioration of the security and humanitarian conditions and the continuing brutal aggression perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The objective of the meeting was to finalize discussions on the draft OIC Convention on the Rights of the Child, an initiative highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding children’s rights in the midst of conflict.
Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural, and Social Affairs, expressed deep concern regarding the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories. He highlighted the blatant and unprecedented Israeli aggression and heinous massacres committed against civilians in the Gaza Strip that have resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, with a majority being children, women, and the elderly.
Ambassador Bakhit underscored the urgency of completing the review of the draft document and its implementation mechanisms.
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The OIC Assistant Secretary-General emphasized the significance of Islam’s teachings concerning children, acknowledging them as the future of the Ummah and the leaders of tomorrow. He noted that Islamic principles have long championed the complete rights of children throughout their various life stages.
OIC’s Commitment to Ensuring Rights of the Child
Ambassador Bakhit affirmed the commitment of OIC Member States to ensuring the rights of the child and expressed hope for the adoption of the OIC Convention on the Rights of the Child as an internationally recognized charter, in harmony with the teachings of Islam.
In his statement, Ambassador Bakhit extended gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Chair of the 49th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, Chair of the Second Session of the Ministerial Conference on Social Development, for their unwavering efforts and continuous support.
