Jeddah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Commissioner General for Human Rights, Mr. Jamal Al-Shamayleh, participated in the proceedings of the 26th Ordinary Session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Jeddah under the title: “Youth Development in OIC Member States: Challenges and Opportunities from a Human Rights Perspective.”
In his address during the session, the Commissioner General commended the longstanding relationship between Jordan’s National Centre for Human Rights and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, and praised the organization of this session. He stressed the importance of the discussions leading to concrete and actionable steps that contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights in the member states.
Al-Shamayleh noted that young people constitute the largest proportion of the population in the Middle East, emphasizing that they are not a demographic burden, but rather a genuine strategic opportunity for development and stability. He underscored the need to change the stereotypical image that reduces the region to conflict, and to highlight the true face of its youth as conscious and capable energies able to contribute positively to peace and development at both the regional and international levels. He added that empowering youth and involving them in decision-making processes enhances stability and prevents their marginalization or exploitation by extremist narratives.
The Commissioner General further explained that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, has adopted a firm approach based on integrating youth into decision-making processes, considering their political, economic, and social empowerment as a strategic investment in stability. In this context, he referred to Jordan’s initiative to adopt UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, aimed at moving from political commitments to practical measures that ensure the regular engagement of youth in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
Al-Shamayleh also reviewed Jordan’s experience as outlined in the “Youth 2030” report, to which the National Centre for Human Rights contributed, noting that Jordan achieved the highest level of progress in engaging youth within COVID-19 response and recovery plans. He added that Jordan is among the ten “fast-track” countries implementing innovative models to coordinate youth issues within the United Nations system, including the establishment of a dedicated Youth Focal Point. He highlighted the active role played by the National Centre for Human Rights in empowering youth through knowledge and promoting a culture of human rights, by delivering training courses, building national partnerships, and implementing training and awareness programs that help protect youth from cybercrime, bullying, hate speech, and violence, while also strengthening trust and communication between youth and civil society.
In concluding his remarks, Al-Shamayleh called for unified efforts, increased funding flows, and the alignment of public policies toward the inclusion of youth—particularly young women and girls and persons with disabilities—in development and peace pathways. He emphasized that such efforts would contribute to safeguarding societies from extremism and violence and to strengthening an international system based on peace, cooperation, and mutual respect. He also expressed his hope that young men and women would participate as active members in future Commission meetings and in the formulation and implementation of policies.
