Manama: The Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions convened its 26th extraordinary General Assembly meeting on Monday evening via videoconference, under the leadership of Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, Chairman of the Network and President of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) in Bahrain. The meeting, themed 'Iranian attacks on Arab states: a human rights perspective on violations of the absolute prohibition on the use of force,' aimed to address the recent military escalation in the region.
According to Bahrain News Agency, representatives from Arab national human rights institutions, legal and human rights experts specializing in international humanitarian law, and representatives from relevant entities participated in the meeting. Sultan bin Hassan Al Jammali, Secretary-General of the Network, moderated the session.
Al Derazi emphasized the significance of the meeting coinciding with Arab Human Rights Day, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts to promote and safeguard human rights across the Arab world. He voiced concern over missile attacks targeting several Arab countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and others, which caused damage and civilian casualties. Al Derazi condemned these attacks as violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.
He praised Arab diplomatic efforts, notably Bahrain's initiative to the United Nations Security Council, condemning the attacks and advocating for their cessation. Al Derazi highlighted the region's values of cooperation and solidarity, rejecting any threats to Arab security or civilian safety.
The meeting called for stronger cooperation among national human rights institutions to monitor and document violations, particularly protecting vulnerable groups during conflicts. It provided a platform to exchange legal and human rights perspectives on recent developments and emphasized the centrality of human dignity in regional and international actions.
Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of Qatar's National Human Rights Committee, echoed these concerns, stating the attacks violate the UN Charter and international law's absolute prohibition on force. He emphasized the threat to international peace and human rights, calling for a unified framework for monitoring and advocacy to secure justice for victims.
The meeting was conducted under the Network's statute, allowing extraordinary sessions to address urgent issues. It aimed to examine the legal and human rights implications of recent attacks, review national institutions' responsibilities, and strengthen regional cooperation to protect civilians and uphold the rule of law.