A political lecture of Muhammad Fa’iq
 in the name of Human rights

Translated by: Rima Marrouch

This week Dr. Muhammad Faq’iq- the chief of The Arabic Organization for Human Rights, held a lecture in the Assad Library entitled: “Human rights in a changing World”. Despite the title it seemed that Faq'iq spoke of all issues but human rights. In all fairness his lecture did cover many key political issues, analyzing the theoretical meaning of “human rights”, while also exposing the many violations occuring in wars and international conflicts. However, he completely ignored issues surrounding the human rights of Arabic people in the face of present regimes.

Dr. Fa’iq explained that the title of this lecture originated from the chaos evident in the region. He maintained that this was shown directly through the many violations that are committed against Arab nations and the abuse in international rights occurring, in direct contradiction with the international definition of human rights.

Dr. Fa’iq used Iraq as an example. This country, he maintained, was destroyed in the name of Democracy. He also cited the Israeli attack on Lebanon, pointing out that this was the first time in the history of the UN when issuing a call for a cease fire by the General Assembly did not come immediately, but after 32 days. He maintained that this delay was due to the absolute domination of the U.S over the General Assembly.

Dr Fa’iq then went on to describe the historic foundations of human rights laws, originating in England in 1215. Later in France under John Lock these ideas were reviewed and Dr Fa'iq described the founding of Muslim countries, when Arabs grouped together in Mecca and decided that persecution should no longer be allowed and emphasis should be placed upon respect of the law.

  He then moved into the modern era and outlined some key events that have affected the modern world, and that have played a key role in bringing about widespread international concern over human rights issues, such as the bringing down of the Berlin Wall and the end of Cold War.

Interest in human rights greatly increased when it started to be considered as not just the internal problems of individual countries but as an international problem that deserved international attention. The conclusion was reached in countries where human rights violations were allegedly taking place, that the role of the protector of human rights was for the countries government only. A renewed interest was taken and active measures were taken to prevent the 'stronger' countries, predominately Western, in interfering in domestic affairs. Although this new line of thought was preceded by courts for the war criminals of Burundi and Kosovo, it was before the introduction of Roma Protocols and the establishment of an international criminal court.

Dr Fa’iq maintained that one big flaw in this international system of human rights stems from the U.S domination of Western policies. Although a new liberalism is beginning to appear enabling a new line of thought to spread, the US still a huge monopoly in running international affairs, largely through controlling important financial institutions such as the World Bank. And  International Monetary Fund .

 Dr. Fa’iq assured the audience that these perversions of justice should not lead us to the abandonment of the foundation’s of human rights, but should rather inspire a renewed desire to adhere more strictly to these rights, and to international agreements and laws. However he did stress that by this he does not mean taking domestic issues into the international domain. Perhaps it was this last argument that instigated Fa'iq's invitation to speak at this conference.

Noticeably absent throughout the conference was any reference to the countless human rights violations currently taking place in Arabic regimes against their own citizens. In fact he did not even allude to this issue. There is no excuse that can justify the absence of this as issues of human rights cannot be divided. Therefore by omitting this Fa'iq missed an important part of the issue.

 The question and answer session that followed was at a surprisingly low level. It seemed to be a mere attack on American policies, though failed to look at any broader issues.

  The issues in which Fa’iq spoke of said are undoubtedly important, but they simply did not fit in with what the title of the conference implied. Those in the audience who were waiting to hear more about details connected to the human rights of Arabic people went home disappointed. 

This week Dr. Muhammad Faq’iq- the chief of The Arabic Organization for Human Rights, held a lecture in the Assad Library entitled:{mosimage} “Human rights in a changing World”. Despite the title it seemed that Faq'iq spoke of all issues but human rights. In all fairness his lecture did cover many key political issues, analyzing the theoretical meaning of “human rights”, while also exposing the many violations occuring in wars and international conflicts.