The
participants of the 13th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue
discussed at its third session held yesterday the human rights issues
between heavenly laws and international covenants, warning of the
current challenges to the promotion of those rights in the world.
The
participants discussed the religious perspective of human rights in
times of peace and conflict, the position of heavenly laws and
international laws on the siege of states, the protection of civilians
from the dangers of military operations and the religious and legal
position towards victims of wars and conflicts.
The participants
presented successful experiences from Argentina, Portugal, Nepal, and
Croatia to integrate religious values into human rights laws, including
constitutional legislation derived from the laws of religions.
They
noted the responsibility of international law to protect vulnerable
religious groups and minorities, to combat religious terrorism and
ethnic cleansing in addition to combat discrimination on a religious
basis.
Morocco’s Minister of State for Human Rights Mustapha Ramid
underlined the approach of human rights in Islam and its relationship to
international legitimacy.
He said the prophetic experience in
dialogue with the other and the different treaties with him, like the
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and Hilf Al Fudul, make the alliances, covenants,
and agreements that support the oppressed are required in Islam
regardless of its parties, contexts and the circumstances of their
conclusion.
In his speech on behalf of the Moroccan minister, Abdel
Wahid al-Atheer, chief of staff at the ministry of state in charge of
human rights, referred to convergence between some formulations in the
international legitimacy of human rights and Qur’anic verses, especially
with regard to the preference of God to human being by knowledge as
well as their emphasis on the central principles of freedom, justice and
equality.
He pointed out that this basic ethical consensus between
Islam and the international legitimacy of human rights does not mean
full compatibility in detail, but there are some limited differences
that require scrutiny and reservation.
The minister also pointed out
that the global balance of power remains a key determinant in adapting
the positions of international human rights legislation.
