The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a statement on the occasion of Human Rights Day celebrated on 10 December: The celebration of the International Human Rights Day reminds us that everyone's rights should be protected and preserved, in line with the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 19 September 2016, United Nations Member States committed themselves during the New York Summit on Displacement of Refugees and Migrants to uphold the human rights of those who more than ever, are in great need of protection and promotion of their human rights and fundamental freedoms in their displacement routes. The NY Declaration recalled our common and strong engagement to save lives and to provide necessary conditions to ensure that people on the move are benefiting fully from the provisions of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Protection of these people from discrimination and xenophobia is an integral part of the protection of legal framework that should be extended to all, independently of their origin, racial, ethnic or religious belonging or their economic or social status. In this regard, the rise of discrimination and xenophobia, including Islamophobia as well as the exploitation of the vulnerability related to the dire humanitarian situation of people on the move is intolerable. As is unacceptable the actual divisive political rhetoric in some countries which is posing serious breaches of our common humanity to address the desperate and precarious situation of vulnerable persons who flee their places of origins for different reasons. The commitment to stand for people's rights reminds us that the primary responsibility is to provide a rooted and indiscriminate human response to the situation of persons in need of their human rights protection. Therefore, we all have to stand together to fight the growing trends of discrimination and intolerance that exacerbate the feelings of rejection and hatred that could only undermine our common security and shared values of humanity and peaceful co-existence. This day is also an occasion to remind the international community of their responsibilities, obligations and commitments to protecting and strengthening respect for human rights and human dignity of the Palestinian people and Muslim minorities around the world, in particular the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, as well as the importance of furthering efforts in promoting peace and tolerance. The OIC is committed to the protection of human rights, which it reiterates not only on the International Human Rights Day celebration but also at the occasion of the Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Day, which is celebrated every year on 5 August.
