THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON TECHNICAL COOPERATION

Geneva, 11 July 2006.- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) today signed in Rabat a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in the field of human rights.

Both organizations will work together in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.

The memorandum spells out cooperation in the area of information sharing, inviting each other to relevant meetings and events; as well as building regional, sub-regional and national capacities for the adoption of policies and guidelines on human rights and on encouraging to ratify international human rights treaties.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place on the opening day of the UN-OIC general periodic meeting on cooperation between the two organizations and their specialized institutions.

OIC is an inter-governmental organization established in 1969 which comprises 57 Member States, with its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.