Mr. President,

OIC reiterates that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated. The Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA) had a special focus on the economic, social and cultural rights including right to development and the means of implementation through international cooperation. This holds true even more today while we discuss the ways to accelerate the global efforts for achieving of the Sustainable Development Goals.  

2. Realization of the right to development and the elimination of obstacles to development merit our special focus. Lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to development requires effective development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favourable economic environment at the international level. Dissemination of knowledge and scientific research and transfer of technology are essential for realization of right to development.
3. The speedy and comprehensive elimination of all forms of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance is a priority task for the international community especially in the back drop of contemporary challenges. Hate campaigns ridiculing religions and religious or cultural symbols are an affront to the spirit of VDPA and a potent incitement to violence. Girls cannot be harassed for covering their heads. People cannot be killed for eating beef. Propagation of hate speech by populists cannot be allowed.
4. The Human Rights Council was created to be the voice of the international community’s collective conscience. The full enjoyment of human rights is possible only if we are guided by cooperation and non-politicization. The OIC believes that positive and constructive engagement free from politicization and double standards is the only way forward to realize the full potential of this Council in order to promote and protect human rights.

I thankyou Mr. President.