In its fifth annual report, the Maat Foundation monitors the human rights situation in the Arab region during 2021
Aqeel: Corona pandemic It exacerbated the human rights situation and affected the path of sustainable development in the Arab region
Sherif Abdel Hamid: Building a better world after Corona requires a general and comprehensive vision of human rights
Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights issued this morning, Monday, March 28, 2021 its fifth annual report entitled “ The human rights situation in the Arab region in light of the continuation of the Corona pandemic... Limited development and continuing crises The report, which consists of three chapters in more than 400 pages, monitors and analyzes the developments and facts of the human rights situation in the Arab region during 2021, with a focus on the tragedy that Arab societies are experiencing and still experiencing, as a result of the continuing spread of the Corona pandemic, and the difficult reality that they have suffered from. The basic human rights situation under the COVID-19 pandemic remains.
The methodology of preparing the report was based on monitoring policies, legislation and practices from a human rights perspective based on the constitutions and national laws of each country, in addition to the international human rights standards to which these countries have committed themselves at the international and regional levels. The importance of this report lies in the objective diagnosis of the reality of human rights in the Arab region by highlighting the shortcomings and violations on the one hand, and the progress made on the other hand, in order to present viable recommendations that contribute to the collective advancement of the reality of human rights in the Arab countries.
In its first chapter, the report reviews the position of Arab countries on international human rights mechanisms, by monitoring and analyzing this relationship and to what extent the Arab countries were during 2021 in light of the continued spread of the Corona virus, and the precautionary measures they require capable of fulfilling their international obligations towards these mechanisms, whether they were The Human Rights Council or the universal periodic review mechanism, as well as contractual committees and special procedures; Especially since the Arab countries voluntarily pledged themselves to abide by the measures imposed by these mechanisms in order to promote human rights.
In the second chapter, the report presented an analysis of the indicators of Arab countries’ achievement towards achieving sustainable development goals in order to improve life in general for their citizens, and whether the Corona pandemic affected Arab countries’ fulfillment of their commitments. In its third chapter, the report paid special attention to the human rights situation in Arab countries.
The report emphasized the interrelationship and interdependence between human rights and sustainable development, and considered all sustainable development goals as original human rights. Therefore, international mechanisms and human rights charters and mechanisms provide an important framework for the implementation of sustainable development goals; Including the Human Rights Council, special procedures, the universal periodic review and treaty bodies.
Ayman Aqil, an international rights expert and head of the Maat Foundation, said that the continuation of the Corona pandemic had a disproportionate impact on the poor and needy groups during 2021, from uneven economic recovery paths to unequal access to vaccines; From widening income losses to disparities in education. As the pandemic has caused setbacks in the development path, efforts to end extreme poverty and reduce inequality, it has also led to a rise in extreme poverty for the first time in more than 20 years, where about 100 million people now live. Others get less than $1.90 per person per day.
Akil added that the Corona pandemic confirmed the world's need for solidarity to confront the crisis, with its cosmic and cross-border nature; Especially since the Corona crisis still provides an opportunity to engage in a comprehensive reform agenda that addresses some of the key structural issues in the region such as; Decentralization, private sector development, social protection, economic diversification, spending on health, education, and industrial innovation, relying on all stakeholders, including civil society, to promote and widely disseminate all human rights.
For his part, Sherif Abdel Hamid, Director of the Research and Studies Unit at Maat Foundation, said that building a better world after Corona requires a general and comprehensive vision of human rights that provides a real guarantee and a strong ground that allows every person to live better and more appropriately, and therefore all countries must adopt a comprehensive vision of human rights, and pursue To this end, a comprehensive strategy and sustainable development plan take into account the rights of current and future generations.
Abdul Hamid stressed that international human rights law establishes the value of human dignity inherent in human beings, unless Arab governments seriously start adopting policies that respond to respect and implementation of human rights and address the legacy of inequality, marginalization and exclusion, in addition to serious inter-Arab solidarity to combat terrorism and work seriously on Stop wars and conflicts. It will not be easy to overcome the current and occasional crises that you are going through in the short term.
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