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Human Rights Department
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Departments
General Secretariat
Arab Human Rights Mechanisms

Brief

  • The early interest of Arab States in the issues of human rights appears in the Arab contribution to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and  subsequent international conventions, and their accession to  international human rights system. At the regional level, that interest appears in the launching of two important Arab plans: the Arab Human Rights Education Plan 2009-2014 including its Guideline, and the Arab Plan to Promote Human Rights Culture. Amendments were made to The Arab Charter on Human Rights that entered into force on 16th March 2008 (the Arab Human Rights Day). In addition, a number of inter-Arab agreements on Human Rights were recognized. 

    In this context, a number of Arab Human Rights Mechanisms were established within the framework of joint Arab action ( e.g. the Arab Human Rights Committee (Charter Committee) in accordance with Article (45) of the Charter;  the Committee on Legislative, Legal and Human Rights Affairs of the Arab Parliament; and the Permanent Arab Committee for Human Rights at the Arab League Secretariat General.

Related Documents

National institutions

  • The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) is established by the state following Constitution, or by law or decree, whose functions are specified in the promotion and protection of human rights. International standards "Paris Principles" require the following  for the establishment of such institutions:

    • Independence
    • The power to promote and protect human rights
    • An extensive mandate clearly spelled out in a constitutional or legislative text
    • Pluralism in membership and staffing
    • Appointment of Members governed by a decree that determines the duration of the membership.
    • Adequacy of resources to carry out its mandate and perform its functions
    • Ease of access to those who have fallen victim to human rights abusers
    • A Methodology for dealing with governmental, non-governmental, private sector organizations and individuals at the national and international levels

    With regard to activities, the "Paris Principles" require national institutions to:

    • Submit a report on the promotion and protection of human rights
    • Promote and ensure the harmonization of national legislation, regulations and practices with international human rights instruments to which the State is a party, and ensure their effective implementation
    • Encourage the ratification of international human rights instruments
    • Contribute to the preparation of reports submitted by States to United Nations bodies and committees and, where appropriate, give an opinion on the subject with due respect for the independence of institutions
    • Cooperate with the United Nations and sub-organizations, regional institutions and national institutions in other countries
    • Assist in the preparation and participate in the implementation of programs on human rights education
    • Publish information on human rights

    Arab National Human Rights Institutions:

    • Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: National Center for Human Rights
    • Republic of Tunisia: High Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
    • People's Democratic Republic of Algeria: National Advisory Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
    • Saudi Arabia: National Society for Human Rights
    • Sultanate of Oman: National Human Rights Committee
    • State of Palestine: Independent Commission for Human Rights
    • State of Qatar: National Human Rights Committee
    • Libya: National Human Rights Commission
    • Arab Republic of Egypt: National Council for Human Rights
    • Kingdom of Morocco: National Council for Human Rights
    • Islamic Republic of Mauritania: National Human Rights Commission​

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