‘Protecting Human Rights is Vital for Attaining MDGs’- IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud

Doha, Qatar, December 11, 2010 --(PR.com)-- 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.”

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.

Dr. Homoud maintained that protection of human rights is very essential for attaining MDGs. Human rights and the MDGs have much in common. He said, “Both MDGs and human rights share guiding principles such as participation, empowerment, national ownership; they serve as tools for reporting processes that can hold governments accountable; and, most fundamentally, they share the ultimate objective of promoting human well-being and honoring the inherent dignity of all people.”

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