In anticipation of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Ibrahim Boughali, has called for a renewed focus on economic, social, and cultural rights within the Arab world. Boughali, who also serves as the Speaker of the Algerian People’s National Assembly, emphasized the critical importance of these rights as fundamental necessities for human dignity and sustainable development.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Boughali highlighted the right to education, healthcare, employment, and adequate housing as essential components of a dignified life. He argued that these ‘daily necessities’ are indispensable for fostering inclusive and equitable societies across the region.
Boughali affirmed the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union’s commitment to promoting a culture of human rights within the Arab world. He stressed the importance of supporting national institutions, integrating human rights principles into education and media, and incorporating these principles into national development plans. These efforts, he stated, are crucial for building more just and tolerant societies.
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts of Arab nations to advance human rights, Boughali urged national and regional parliaments to seize the opportunity presented by the upcoming anniversary to launch practical initiatives. These initiatives should include national and regional action plans, as well as expanded partnerships with civil society organizations and relevant regional and international institutions. The goal, he said, is to strengthen the Arab world’s role as an active partner in the global human rights system.
Amidst escalating armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and patterns of discrimination worldwide, the President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union called on the international community to fulfill its moral and legal responsibilities to halt human rights violations wherever they occur. He also emphasized the need to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, protect civilians from violence and displacement, and hold perpetrators of serious violations accountable.
Boughali reiterated the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union’s unwavering solidarity with peoples living under occupation, conflict, or siege, particularly the Palestinian people. He reaffirmed the Union’s support for their inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on their national soil with Jerusalem as its capital.
