Med Kaggwa to chair OIC human rights body

UHRC chairperson, Med Kaggwa. Photo/File

The Uganda Human Rights Commission(UHRC) chairperson, Med Kaggwa has been elected to head the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission. 

According to statement issued by the UHRC, Kaggwa was unanimously elected as the next Chairperson of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the OIC with effect from January 2017.

The one year mandate was handed over to Kaggwa during the 10th Regular Session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission which was held in December, 2016 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The IPHRC holds two annual regular sessions, which are convened at its Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia or in any other Member States offering to host the session, according to the statement.

IPHRC's mandate includes advising OIC's policy-and-decision-making bodies on all matters in the area of human rights; pursuing interfaith and intercultural dialogue as a tool to promote peace and harmony among various civilizations and to promote the true image of Islam and promoting cooperative working relations with relevant bodies of UN and OIC, as well as relevant regional human rights mechanisms among other objectives.

The Commission comprises 18 members elected on the basis of equitable geographical representation. There are six members from each of the three geographical regions, namely Africa, Arab and Asia. There is also due regard to gender balance.

Members of the IPHRC are elected by secret ballot and chosen from amongst personalities of the highest reputation, known for their high morality, integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of human rights.

Kaggwa who has previously served on the IPHRC holds these positions on secondment by the government of Uganda and represents the African Group.

Other newly elected members who will work as Vice Chairpersons of the IPHRC are Dr. Rashid AL Balushi from the Arab group and Dr. Raihanah Binti Abdullah from the Asia group.  Kaggwa will serve for one-year term on a part-time basis.