The Arab League, in cooperation with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR), at a meeting grouping representatives of these entities held on Sunday, welcomed the launch of the Arab Declaration for Belonging and Legal Identity .
Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, said in a statement the launch is an execution of the resolution taken at the 42nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Social Affairs — as a guiding legal document.
Abu Ghazaleh stated that the aim of this step is to enhance the protection of children and women by raising awareness about the importance of belonging and legal identity, and demonstrating their connection to human rights and development goals.
She added that this step envisages progress towards achieving sustainable development goals, assessing the situation and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the field.
For her part, the Sup
ervisor of the Family and Childhood Administration at the Arab League, Lubna Azzam, confirmed in her speech during the meeting that the issue is one of the most important guarantees of Arab national security.
Azzam stressed that strengthening belonging and consecrating Arab identity is a mission that requires continuous progress at all levels to enhance awareness of belonging and legal identity as they are related to human rights and development objectives, including progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
She affirmed significance of the declaration to ensure a better future for children in the Arab region and consolidate their basic rights, including the right to obtain a legal identity.
This issue is a “high priority,” Azzam said, adding that the Arab League is giving it all attention, especially because of the difficulties that many children face in enjoying their basic rights, especially in areas of armed conflict and conditions of asylum and displacement.
Azzam said, “In p
arallel with the event of launching the Arab Declaration on Belonging and Legal Identity, we are remembering children living in our Arab homeland under occupation. Their dream is to live a safe and reassured life away from all causes of fear and all forms of violence.” She added, “Our hearts ache for the innocent children of Palestine,” who have been suffering due to the brutal aggression of the Israeli occupation against the Gaza Strip in front of the eyes of the world.” The meeting was attended by experts, media figures and representatives of Arab and international organizations concerned with belonging and legal identity in Arab countries.
The State of Kuwait was represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs envoy, First Secretary of the Human Rights Affairs Department, Mohammed Al-Bishara.
Source: Kuwait News Agency