HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZING EXPERT SEMINAR TO DISCUSS ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

HR/98/81
30 October 1998



The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is organizing, in cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a seminar of experts entitled, "Enriching the universality of human rights: Islamic perspectives on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" from 9 to 10 November in Geneva.

The seminar will bring together some 20 experts selected in consultation with the OIC on the basis of the depth of their Islamic legal background and knowledge of human rights law, as well as their familiarity with other legal systems and cultures. It is taking place during this 50th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration as part of a process aimed at promoting understanding and respect among peoples. High Commissioner Mary Robinson hopes the process will provide a framework for a better understanding of the significance of cultural and religious backgrounds to the Universal Declaration.

The major themes of the seminar are:

Islam, the principle of non-discrimination and the Universal Declaration;
Islam, civil and political rights and the Universal Declaration;
Islam, economic, social and cultural rights and the Universal Declaration.

For the purpose of the seminar, Islam is understood in terms of “Sharia” (Qur’an and Hadith), and not in terms of traditions or practices.

The experts have been asked to contribute short papers and to take part in an exchange of scholarship, views and opinions on the issue. They will not be called upon to reach conclusions, adopt positions or review current practices. The meetings will be open to Government representatives, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, specialized agencies and the public, although the discussion will be limited to the invited experts.

The seminar comes in response to a request by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran. It is being carried out in close consultation with the OIC.

The languages of the seminar will be Arabic, English and French. The meetings will take place in room XVII of the Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva.

A list of the participating experts will be issued next week.


Programme of the Seminar


ENRICHING THE UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
(Geneva, 9 to 10 November 1998)



Themes for discussion*

First day: 9 November (morning):

Theme One: Islam, the principle of non-discrimination and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

-Islam and the rights of non-Muslims
-Islam and women

9 November (afternoon):

Theme Two: Islam, civil and political rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

-Freedom of thought
-Freedom of speech
-Freedom of movement
-The criminal justice system
-Islam and the rights of citizens


Second day: 10 November (morning):

Theme Three: Islam, economic, social and cultural rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

- Zakat, the principle of solidarity and duties to the community
- The right to development (including the right to self-determination, popular participation, environment, natural resources, rights to food, health and shelter, etc.)

10 November (afternoon):

Exchange of views by experts: Islamic perspectives on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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*These themes are intended to give focus to the discussion and leave room for the experts to raise related matters and issues.