Ihsanoglu calls for setting up a legal experts group to prosecute Israeli officials for the attack against the Freedom Flotilla
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called on the participants, in the meeting of the Expanded Executive Committee at the ministerial level held at the Headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah on 6 June 2010 to address the Israeli aggression against the Freedom Flotilla, which was heading to the Gaza Strip in a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people besieged in the Strip, to consider setting up a legal experts group as soon as possible with a view to working out legal concepts and course by which to bring to justice the Israeli officials who planned this odious crime and the individuals who participated in its execution. He said: “The legal course needs to be duly explored in our endeavor to achieve justice and ensure the lifting of the oppression imposed upon our brothers in the blockaded Gaza Strip”.
The Secretary General also called on the OIC Member States to rally and work together with friendly regional groups and other UN Member States to convene a meeting of the UN General Assembly within the framework of “Uniting for Peace” in order to ensure that the UN shoulders its responsibility in lifting the oppressive blockade on the Gaza Strip, insisting on the immediate lifting of the blockade.
Ihsanoglu extended his condolences to all the bereaved families of the martyrs who lost their lives as a result of this heinous crime perpetrated by Israel, the occupying power, against the civilians, wishing prompt recovery to the injured and a safe return of all the participants in the Freedom Flotilla to their countries and families, having achieved a distinctive act of glory and dignity.
The Secretary General paid special tribute for “the noble stand adopted by the Republic of Turkey; a stand that is indicative of a high sense of responsibility and distinct valor in the defense of the causes of the Islamic Ummah through a large and effective participation in the Freedom Flotilla, and through the positions expressed by its Government after Israel committed its crime”. He also paid tribute to all those who participated in staging this maritime convoy, both individuals and institutions, as well as to all those who volunteered to sail on these ships in this noble mission.
He stated that the recent aggression by the Israeli forces was against civilians from 32 countries, representing many faiths - Christianity, Islam, Judaism - and people from all creeds and backgrounds who actually represent the conscience of the international community.
The Secretary General described the Israeli attack on the Humanitarian Flotilla to Gaza, in international waters, as “a new crime to be added to the endless record of violations of international law committed by the Israeli forces against innocent civilians, and a policy of piracy, criminality and state-organized terrorism, in addition to its excess of all red lines as it targeted a humanitarian-oriented convoy that has an identified destination, and defined objectives and mission”.
He maintained that the piracy perpetrated by Israel in international waters in defiance to international law requires an independent, impartial, credible and transparent investigation, corresponding to international standards with the aim of identifying those responsible for their illegal acts against humanity.
The Secretary General said: “Since the first moments of Israel’s perpetration of this crime, we have condemned this action as a form of State terrorism and piracy which warrant the prosecution of those who planned and executed it”, stating that he has invited OIC Ambassadorial Groups in both New York and Geneva to act in concert in favor of the adoption of an international stand condemning this odious crime and of lifting the lawless blockade on the Gaza Strip.
He added that the OIC Ambassadorial Group in New York has in fact put in diligent action in order to achieve a UN common stand denouncing this crime, and he declared that however: “The Security Council’s presidential statement fell rather short of our expectations”. He also stated that the OIC Ambassadorial Group in New York held a meeting on 3rd June to look into this crime, and issued a declaration in which it called on the UN Secretary General to promptly launch a credible, independent, transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the Israeli military aggression with its various aspects and considerations, in accordance with international standards, along with the call for bringing to justice the perpetrators of this crime.
Main points of the final communiqué of the OIC Expanded Extraordinary Executive Committee Meeting at the Level of Foreign Ministers on the Israeli aggression against the Freedom Flotilla shipping humanitarian aid to Gaza
The Expanded Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Executive Committee of the OIC, held on June 6, 2010 adopted the Final Communiqué which stated:
Having listened to the report of the OIC Secretary General, to the Turkish and Palestinian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and to the interventions of other Ministers and Head of Delegations,
1. Condemns in the strongest possible terms the brutal aggression by the Israeli forces against civilian ships transporting humanitarian aid material to Gaza Strip in international waters;
2. Conveys its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in this military aggression and expresses its hopes for the early recovery of the wounded;
3. Condemns Israel for this piracy which constitutes an act of state terrorism, and a gross breach of international law and serious violation of human rights;
4. Condemns also the killing and wounding of unarmed civilians by the Israeli brutal assault in international waters, under circumstances not warranting such attack;
5. Expresses its appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for its unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian people;
6. Highly commends the humanitarian mission undertaken by the Freedom Flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to the Israeli blockaded Gaza Strip. It further pays tribute and full respect for those perished in this noble endeavor;
7. Calls upon the OIC Member States to take all necessary measures, within international law, individually and collectively, to deter Israel from engaging in any assault and use of force against civilian ships;
8. Demands the release of the ships and individuals involved which were forced to go to the Ashdod Port by the Israeli forces;
9. Further demands that full compensation be made in accordance with international standards for the loss of lives and injuries caused to civilians by the Israeli military aggression on the humanitarian convoy of ships as well as compensation for all material damages caused;
10. Calls on the United Nations Secretary General to establish an independent international commission to launch a full investigation into the incident in order to determine, prosecute and punish those responsible for the killing of civilians, as well as attacking and forcefully seizing civilian vessels;
11. Emphasizes that the Israeli blockade of Gaza Strip is not only a gross violation of Palestinians’ human rights, but also represents a serious threat to international peace and security and regional stability, as clearly demonstrated by the latest incident. It is a vivid manifestation of state terrorism, serious crime against humanity, and a blatant breach of international law, which needs to receive proper reaction by the international community through bringing Israeli authorities who are responsible for these heinous acts to justice;
12. Reiterates its firm and unwavering demand for an immediate lifting of this unlawful Israeli blockade of Gaza Strip and the opening of all Israeli controlled crossing points to allow for the free movement of persons and goods into and from Gaza Strip and to allow for unfettered humanitarian access;
13. Calls on the OIC Member States to coordinate their efforts with the international community to put an end to this oppressive and unacceptable Israeli blockade, including inter alia sanctions against Israel to compel it to stop such atrocious acts and crimes;
14. Decides to establish an OIC governmental expert group, in close coordination with Palestine, in order to consider ways, means and mechanisms to ensure the lifting of the unjust Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza and to facilitate the reconstruction process of Gaza;
15. Requests the UN Secretary General to intensify UN activities in order to immediately and unconditionally lift the Israeli blockade on Gaza and alleviate the sufferings of the people therein;
16. Renews its call that action must be taken to bring a halt to all other illegal Israeli practices against the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;
17. Reaffirms the importance of continuing the strong coordination among the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Arab Group in the UN and other international organizations and the need to continue the coordination and cooperation of these groups in order to ensure comprehensive follow-up of this serious and urgent matter, including to ensure the full implementation of the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of June 1st, 2010, particularly the pursuit of an impartial, credible, transparent, and independent international investigation in accordance with international standards led by the United Nations Secretary-General.
18. Expresses its concern over the ongoing Israeli illegal acts and practices in the international waters, which further target the Irish vessel “Rachel Corrie” on June 5, 2010, and prevent the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza;
19. Requests the OIC Group in Geneva to follow up the implementation of the Human Rights Council Resolution of June 2, 2010, adopted with the active role of the OIC Member States;
20. Denounces the countries which did not support the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on June 2, 2010 on the Israeli aggression against the “Freedom Flotilla”, and deems it a protection for Israel and its crimes and a manifestation of double standards and departure from international law and international humanitarian law;
21. Requests the OIC Secretary General to take the necessary measures towards convening a special meeting of the UN General Assembly within the framework of “Uniting For Peace”, in order to lift the Israeli blockade on Gaza;
22. In view of the continuing Israeli challenge and violation of international law and all its international commitments, calls on the Member States to reconsider their relations with Israel, including reconsideration of normalization of such relations;
23. Supports the Palestinian reconciliation process and the Egyptian efforts to achieve this reconciliation, taking into consideration the need to end the Palestinian discord as soon as possible;
24. Mandates the Secretary-General to coordinate with the Chairs of the Islamic Summit Conference, the Council of Foreign Ministers, and the Member States of the Executive Committee in order to ensure implementation and the follow-up of the provisions of this communiqué.
UN Human Rights Council condemns Israel’s attack against the humanitarian convoy to Gaza and adopts the OIC proposed resolution
Upon the request of the Member States of the OIC Ambassadorial Group in Geneva, Human Rights Council convened special session for considering the human tragedy caused by Israeli attack on the international convey carrying humanitarian aids to Gaza. The council after two days deliberation adopted the OIC proposed resolution (A/HRC/14/L.1) by voting. 32 members of council voted in favor, while the USA, Netherlands and Italy voted against and abstention countries were France, the UK, Belgium, Japan, Ukraine, Slovakia, South Korea, Burkina Faso, and Hungary. Cameron, Madagascar and Zambia did not participate.
The adopted resolution under the guidance of the purposes and the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as by the provisions of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, express grave concern also at the deepening humanitarian crisis in Occupied Gaza. While adopting this resolution, Human Rights Council: a) condemns in the strongest terms possible the outrageous attack by the Israeli forces against the humanitarian flotilla of ships which resulted in the killing and injuring of many innocent civilians from different countries; b) Deeply deplores the loss of life of innocent civilians and expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families; c) Calls upon the occupying power to fully cooperate with the International Committee of Red Cross ( ICRC) to seek and provide information on the whereabouts status and condition of the detained and injured persons d) Demands the Occupying Power Israel to immediately release all detained men and material and facilitate their safe return to their homelands and calls upon occupying Power Israel to immediately lift the siege on Occupied Gaza and other Occupied Territories.
Human Rights Council in its adopted resolution also welcomed the statements of the Secretary General of the UN and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemning the Israeli attacks and calls for the full accountability and credible independent inquiries into these attacks. The Council finally decided to dispatch an independent international fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international law, including international Humanitarian and Human rights Law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance; and decided to authorize the President of the Council to appoint members of this independent international fact-finding mission, who should report to the Council on their finding in its 15th session.
At the 3rd CICA Summit: Ihsanoglu points to the potential and capabilities of OIC countries in Asia
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu participated in the Third Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Istanbul on 8 June 2010. He said in his speech that OIC has always attached great importance to developing cooperation with other regional and international organizations. With 14 coinciding member states with the CICA, the OIC also shares some common concerns and issues on its agenda.
“As Muslim Asian countries are important part of the OIC membership, our Organization is very proud of their contribution. The OIC countries in Asia have huge potentials and capabilities for joint actions in Asia in various fields. These potentials cannot be fully harnessed if peace, security and stability elude the region or confidence and trust are lacking.”
At the same time, he said that Asia is facing key challenges which are endangering peace and security in the continent and beyond. While resolving some of those challenges could help create confidence and trust, inaction has obvious adverse consequences.
He pointed out that Central Asian countries can surely and satisfactorily address the peace and security challenges facing the region if they engage in confidence building measures. Some of the several challenges in the region are similar to the rest of the Muslim world, hence the need for joint actions. In that regard, CICA can count and consider the OIC as a genuine partner.
An OIC humanitarian delegation visits the Republic of Niger
A humanitarian delegation from the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) led by Ambassador Atta El Manan Bakhit, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, visited Niger from 6 to 12 June 2010.
In addition to the ministerial authorities they met, the members of the delegation visited Tillaberi, Tahoua, Koni, Zinder and Agadez where they delivered quantities of cereals (mil) allocated to needy populations in these areas, consistent with the recommendation of the Doha International Donors’ Conference on Food Security held in Qatar in 2007.
The OIC Delegation distributed a total of 2000 tons of mil, at the rate of 400 tons per each visited city. At the end of their visit, the members of the delegation were received by the Prime Minister and the Head of State, President of the Republic of Niger, Lieutenant General Salou Djibou.
Ihsanoglu speaks at the International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy
In his speech at the International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy held in Berlin, Germany of 8 June 2010 under the title ‘Relationship between globalization, culture and international relations over the next two decades’, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that analyzing the role of international organizations in building intergovernmental consensus and promoting intercultural understanding at the grass root level has been identified as one of the objectives of the symposium. Hence, the OIC believes in according primacy to multilateralism towards bridging divergent views and finding political solutions to the whole range of challenges faced by modern human existence.
The interdependence and interconnectivity in today’s world - termed as globalization – is a fact of life. From an economic stand point, we have received frequent reminders and attention notices towards the fact that ‘poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere’ and it is about time that we addressed the situation accordingly. The international organizational infrastructure is of utmost importance in this regard and must be governed in a democratic and consensual fashion. OIC believes that this can be best accomplished by sharing resources and evolving an inclusive approach aimed at an equitable distribution of the fruits of globalization. “We have taken some important initiatives to that end by launching a poverty alleviation fund, a program for development in Africa, concluding a preferential trade agreement among Member States and joining hands with other international organizations in the areas of health and humanitarian assistance. We intend to continue to promote international cooperation in this regard,” he said.
At the conclusion of his speech, Ihsanoglu said that cultural diplomacy is integral to the maintenance and preservation of global peace and security. To be effective, the concept needs to be accorded a more focused attention by the international community. It also needs to be acknowledged that respect for cultural diversity constitutes the starting point of cultural diplomacy. It cannot be left only to diplomats and politicians for its success. It requires the active participation and contribution of all segments of society. Through the march of civilization, human existence has been enriched and made meaningful by the diversity of traditions and sharing of experiences. There is no option but to embrace diversity and promote multiculturism towards ensuring peace, prosperity and stability in this globalized world. This is something that should prominently on the global agenda over the next two decades.
Foreign Minister of Guinea expresses his government’s appreciation to the OIC
The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received in his office in Jeddah on 5 June 2010 Bakary Fofana, Foreign Minister of Guinea, and the accompanying delegation. The Minister expressed his government's deep appreciation to Secretary General for the support that Guinea continues to receive from the OIC. He commended the Secretary General's efforts in raising the profile of the OIC as a significant player in the global arena.
The Secretary General, while pledging to the transitional government in Guinea of the solidarity and support of the OIC, stated that the OIC would continue to help the transition program leading to credible, transparent, free and fair elections in Guinea. He promised to mobilize OIC Member States and all partners to provide the country with the necessary assistance in order to face the current challenges especially the democratic process and the reinforcement of constitutional institutions in Guinea.
Ihsanoglu: Convening the 17th Session of the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Islamic Action in Brazil underscores Islamic world’s solidarity with Latin America
Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), emphasized the importance of the 17th Session of the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Islamic Action in the field of Dawa convened in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In his statement, at the opening session of the meeting, which started on 31st May 2010, the Secretary General noted that the convening of the session in Brazil is a reflection of the Islamic states’ solidarity with this country and with the other Latin American states in general, and indicated that the meeting was to give further exposure to the achievements of the Islamic faith and its contributions to the growth and prosperity of the peoples of these countries. Also, Prof. Ihsanoglu stressed the importance of the meeting, which comes at a time when the Islamic world is facing a wide range of political challenges. He renewed, on the occasion, his condemnation of the despicable crime perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against the innocent civilians on board of the Freedom Flotilla in international waters.
The Secretary General drew the attention of the participants to the onslaught faced by Islam in the West for so many years, and called for the need to coordinate efforts among Islamic associations in the West. He further urged the participants in the Sao Paulo meeting to strive to project the authentic image of Islam.
The Secretary General expressed his deep gratitude for the noble initiative launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, which promotes interfaith dialogue at the international level, and which has met with broad international support, as he pointed out.
On the other hand, Ihsanoglu drew attention to the major achievements witnessed by the OIC over the past five years and made reference to the OIC Ten Year Program of Action adopted by the Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Makkah and which aims at promoting the Islamic Ummah such as to enable it to face up to the challenges confronting it, at all levels.
The Secretary General also recalled the adoption of the OIC new Charter at the Dakar Summit in 2008 with its fresh vision and values, and similarly pointed to the Independent Human Rights Commission, which has now entered in its final stages of establishment.
Prof. Ihsanoglu further referred to the projects, which the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Islamic Action intends to undertake in the course of its current session, including the establishment of radio stations to broadcast in FM frequencies for Africa and to offer health related, social, environmental, educational and religious sensitization. The Secretary General also noted that these radio stations will be broadcasting in different African languages, and added that the Committee also intends to launch an Arabic language-teaching centre aimed at spreading the spirit of dialogue, in addition to other various information activities.
The Secretary General expressed his profound thanks to the Brazilian government to the Islamic Dawa Centre in Latin America and to the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Islamic Action for the efforts they have all contributed towards ensuring the success of the Committee’s present session, and wished them every success in their deliberations and future programs.
Message of the Secretary General on the occasion of the World Environment Day
The World Environment Day is being observed today in the backdrop of growing realization about the dangers of environmental degradation and the climate change. The OIC fora at its various meetings has unanimously pronounced about the need for cooperation and adoption of effective measures to protect environment which is essential for the sustainable development of its Member States. The OIC Ten-Year Program of Action – a Joint Action document for the Muslim Ummah to face on challenges of the 21st Century – called upon all the OIC Member States to coordinate their environmental policies and positions in international environmental for a so as to prevent any adverse effects of such policies on their economic development.
The climate change poses an existential threat for many OIC Member States. Securing a fair and equitable agreement on climate change within the framework of existing instruments, therefore, remains a priority for our countries. Notwithstanding the need for active and effective participation by the OIC countries in the international environmental fora, it is gratifying to note that the Islamic Executive Bureau for Environment and the Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers is fully seized of all developments in the matter. Our Organization is poised to launch various important initiatives for promotion of clean and renewable energy, clean development mechanism, natural disaster management and alike, under the Islamic Environment Action Program.
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) fully shares the concerns of the international community and is cooperating with UNEP and other relevant agencies in promoting sustainable development while maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems and life. It is important that more resources are made available to reduce our vulnerabilities to the growing dangers of environmental degradation.
On this occasion, I urge the policy makers, the civil society and all stake holders to join hands in promoting better environmental practices for ensuring the well being of our future generations.
IDB launches an Online Database Information System for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions
The Islamic Research and Training Institute, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, have launched an online database information system targeting Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions worldwide.
The system, named IBIS (www.ibisonline.net), is to become a leading provider of information and knowledge to academic, research and industry professionals as a tool to increase awareness, develop products of Islamic banking and finance and provide assistance in research studies.
IBIS contains comprehensive information on Islamic banks, Takaful companies, and Islamic funds. Data is systematically collected from their main sources and information providers for a time period beginning from 1990.
Users are able to search and analyze financial institutions online, and produce customized reports and download data. Types of downloadable data include raw financial statements, 81 analyzed data items, and financial ratios per bank, rating and ownership information. Users are able to view scanned copies of annual reports and financial statements published by the issuing institution.
It includes a Shari‘ah Databank comprising all published Fiqh opinions of distinguished Shari‘ah scholars on Islamic banking and finance, a glossary of Islamic economic terms, an encyclopedia on “Islamic Financial Products in Fiqh”, containing Fiqh resources for financial products and instruments that are relevant for the Islamic financial industry covering all areas of financial dealings, including both for-profit and non-profit activities. It is collected from classical sources covering the major schools of Fiqh, with 14 main resources comprising 71 volumes.
Other information available from IBIS includes a Who's Who database, a specialized collection of Islamic economics and banking literature (articles, research papers and books), and selected news articles on Islamic banking and finance.
An “e-Submission System” also captures research initiatives by soliciting top quality research papers in Islamic finance and banking with direct storage and retrieval via the IBIS Internet website. Additionally, IBIS highlights recent research activities conducted by IRTI and future trends.
