Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR)

Organisation arabe des droits de l'homme
Organización Arabe de Derechos Humanos

Contact Details

Main address: SG: Mohsen Awad, 91 El-Marghany Street, Apt 7-8, Heliopolis, 11341, Cairo, Egypt, Tel: (20 2) 24188378 - 24181396, Fax: (20 2) 24185346 - 26904703, E-mail: aohr (at) link.net

URL: http://www.aohr.net/

Aims

Call for respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens and individuals in Arab countries in accordance with provisions of international human rights instruments; defend any individual or group whose human rights are subjected to violations which are contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well al the other international human rights instruments; endeavour, regardless of political considerations, to obtain release of detained or imprisoned persons, and provide relief and assistance for persons whose freedom is restricted in any way or who are subject to coercion of any kind because of their beliefs and political convictions, or for reasons of race, sex, colour or language; protest in cases where a fair trial is not guaranteed; provide legal assistance where necessary and possible; call for improvements in conditions of prisoners of conscience; work for amnesty of persons sentenced for political reasons.

Official Relations

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)^* (Special); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)^* (Consultative Status).

Activities

Carries out fact finding missions to verify the human rights developments in the Arab region, and field missions in an effort to release political prisoners, in some cases as an observer and in other as a member of the defence panel. Receives complaints from individuals, groups and organizations and contacts the concerned authorities. In addition to the offering of legal assistance in several cases, the Organization provides financial assistance to families of victims. In coordination with Arab Lawyers' Union launched a campaign for 'Freedom for Prisoners of Conscience in the Arab World'. Conferences and seminars. Instrumental in setting up: Arab Human Rights Documentation and Information Network (AHRINET)^*; Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR).

Publications

Arab Organization for Human Rights Newsletter (6 a year) in Arabic, English; Human Rights Issues in Arabic. Annual Report. Reports on specific human rights issues; workshop and seminar reports.

Members

Branches (22), represented by Arab NGOs working at national level in 19 countries and territories:

• Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia.

• Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestinian territories, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

• Austria, Germany, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Individuals (about 1,700) in 39 countries worldwide. Membership countries not specified.

UNESCO NGO Section Data

Type of Relation with UNESCOConsulatative Status

Admission Date2004

Programme sector: EDNo

Programme sector: SCNo

Programme sector: SHSYes

Programme sector: CLTNo

Programme sector: CIINo

Programme sector: BSPNo

Programme sector: AFRNo

Name and contact details of NGO focal point at UNESCOM. Solinis German
SHS/SRP/POL

History1983 Foundation 2004 Operational Relations (169 EX/31) (169 EX/Dec.7.1)

Contribution to UNESCO's programmes Cooperation with AOHR started in March 1987, with the organization of a joint seminar in Cairo, with the Arab Lawyers Union (an NGO admitted into formal consultative relations) on “the Education, Information and Documentation of Human Rights”. Human rights activists, professors at universities and research centres, as well as journalists in the Arab world, attended this seminar. In 1999, a regional seminar was organized in cooperation with UNDP’s Regional Bureau for the Arab States and UNHCR. Since 11 September 2001, AOHR is convinced more than ever that an international dialogue between different cultures is needed. Such a dialogue can be organized in coordination with UNESCO, with the participation of governments and international NGOs. In terms of gender, AOHR is committed to undertake specific programmes to enhance women’s rights in the Arab world especially concerning equality and participation. The Social and Human Sciences Sector, which cooperates with AOHR, recommends the establishment of official relations with this Organization.

Keywords Human rights

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