Regional human rights network launched

AMMAN: On the 70th anniversary of World Human Rights Day, civil society organizations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) launched a network to promote the democratic process under the name of ‘Regional Network for Democracy, Development and Human Rights’ to exchange ideas, proposals, and deliberation on enhancing practices that support liberties and individual rights.

After a full week of discussions in the Jordanian capital Amman, participants agreed on the need to assume responsibility and strengthen the role of civil society in finding successful alternatives to promote democratic mechanisms, human rights, development and social justice in the region. The regional network was established to promote human rights and democracy through networking, lobbying, and initiating constructive proposals and recommendations to policy makers in MENA countries. The experiences among the countries participating in the network and the consolidation of solidarity in the work of civil society will contribute to the establishment of a qualitative situation of positive and effective cooperation.

The founding members selected an executive office for network management, coordinated by Hayat - Rased from Jordan, with the aim of developing general and specific strategies, objectives, and attracting organizations that wish to be part of the network.The executive office announced the following:

1. Launching a regional network dedicated for democracy, development and human rights as a reference framework for cooperation, advocacy, and solidarity in the region.

2. Our commitment to the international human rights conventions as a reference of our work.

3. We seek to strengthen democracy through mechanisms that allow freedom of expression for peoples.

4. Our defense of human rights and its universality, in a way that ensures dignity, justice and freedom.

5. Our commitment to advocacy and joint action for development and social justice.

6. Promote transparency, good governance, and support for local administrations.

7. To strengthen gender equality in order to enhance the position of women in political, economic, and social decision-making.

8. Support initiatives for dialogue that aims at enhancing democracy and community cohesion, and promoting rights and liberties.

The list of organizations that participated in launching the network include:

1. Hayat - Rased (Jordan).

2. Citizen’s Alternatives movement ALCI (Morocco).

3. Lights Rights (Algeria).

4. Iraq Observatory for Human Rights (Iraq).

5. Madarat Center - Rased

(Palestine).

6. Kuwait Society for Human Rights (Kuwait).

7. Nada Network for Children’s Rights (Algeria).

8. Moraqebon Network (Tunisia).

9. Liberation Association for Development (Iraq).

10. Foundation Sahel (Mauritania).