New Brookings Paper Explores OIC's Human Rights Policy

Doha, January 10 (QNA) - Can the Organization of Islamic Co-operation's (OIC) rights agenda move beyond traditional obstacles, namely members' focus on state sovereignty and the debate over the role of Sharia? Could the recently established Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights (IPCHR) form the basis of a robust international human rights regime for the Muslim world? A new research paper published by the Brookings Doha Center (BDC), former visiting fellow Turan Kayaoglu discusses these questions and how the OIC, under the reformist leadership of Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, can become a more effective proponent of human rights. The paper, 'A Rights Agenda for the Muslim World? The Organization of Islamic Co-operation's Evolving Human Rights Framework, describes the changing approach and tenor of the OIC's rights policy. Based on extensive interviews with senior OIC officials, the paper takes a close look at the organization's various human rights instruments and notes a shift in its approach, a Brookings Doha synopsis said. Recent mechanisms most importantly the IPHRC have dropped a former emphasis on the centrality of sharia. The OIC's traditional understanding of state sovereignty, however, has remained intact and led to important shortcomings in the new body. This paper (available at www.brookings.edu) demonstrates how the IPHRC can nevertheless grow into an effective promoter of human rights, and offers recommendations on how the international human rights community can assist in that process. Turan Kayaoglu was a Brookings Doha Center - Qatar University visiting fellow from January through June 2012. He specialized in international human rights and American-Muslim communities, with a focus in Turkey. (QNA)