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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council countries have made significant strides in advancing human rights and protecting human dignity as a result of directives issued by the organization’s leaders, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said.

Albudaiwi was speaking on Human Rights Day, observed annually on Dec. 10 to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This year marks the 75th anniversary of its adoption, with the theme “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.”

The GCC secretary-general renewed his call to the international community to intervene to stop the Israeli assault on Gaza Strip, saying that Israel’s actions have resulted in killings, displacement, and gross violations of international laws and conventions.

The international community should condemn this aggression and destruction, and take steps to end the crimes against humanity, and provide protection to the Palestinian people, he said.

Albudaiwi said that since the establishment of GCC in 1981, leaders of the GCC countries “have shown great interest and care for human rights issues.”

This interest has resulted in many achievements in all areas “through the enactment of legislation and laws supporting human rights.”

Article 2 of the GCC Human Rights Declaration, adopted on Dec. 9, 2014, emphasizes equality in human dignity, rights, and freedoms, stating that people should be treated equally before the law, without discrimination based on origin, sex, religion, language, color or any other factors.

Albudaiwi said that this statement is in keeping with the theme adopted this year on Human Rights Day.

He highlighted the GCC’s pride in member countries’ progress in civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, saying that they pursue an approach that integrates these rights in constitutions and legislation, supported by measures to ensure they are respected. These rights and freedoms are deeply rooted in Islamic Shariah, he added.

Albudaiwi also underlined the GCC countries’ commitment to expanding and safeguarding human rights in accordance with the directives of the GCC countries’ leaders, and with the principles outlined in the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This commitment aims to achieve inclusive development within a framework of justice and equality.

The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has condemned what it describes as double standards in applying human rights norms globally in light of the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.

The IPHRC voiced its concerns after joining worldwide events to mark Human Rights Day. The commission said that after more than two months of Israeli aggression in Gaza, and more than 17,000 civilian casualties, the international community is failing in its responsibility to act on credible accounts of war crimes being committed by Israeli forces.

The commission voiced concern about human rights violations affecting millions worldwide, and cited the deteriorating conditions for Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, persistent violence and discrimination against Muslims in India, and the continued plight of Palestinians and Kashmiris under oppressive regimes.

The IPHRC called for an end to double standards in applying human rights norms globally, and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, the rule of law, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms.