Human rights conf. urges ending violations in armed conflicts or occupation

DOHA, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- International Conference on Human Rights Approach to Conflict Situations in Arab Region has urged international community to shoulder its responsibilities to put an end to grave violations of human rights caused by armed conflict or occupation.
Concluding its discussions on Tuesday, the conference called on member states to guarantee the protection of civilians, mainly children, women, and homeless and elderly people as well as people with disabilities, who are suffering from being excluded and marginalized.
It stressed the need that all concerned parties should enable those people to overcome challenges.
The conferees called for supporting a comprehensive participation of all segments of the society in public life and prioritizing efforts aiming to prevent human rights and international humanitarian law abuses.
They affirmed the importance of establishing a regional center for early warning which depends on human rights approaches for preventing disputes, disseminating human rights culture and building potentials.
They called on concerned bodies to back activities, policies and strategies seeking to disseminate human rights culture and awareness.
Participants urged member states to review educational curriculum and reform policies systems so as to introduce programs seeking to buttress culture of human rights, and encourage respect and tolerance without discrimination.
The event urged also the United Nations Agencies to provide support for enhancing civil society capabilities and national institutions of human rights.
Concerning current approach on human rights in response to conflicts, the congress urged all conflicting parties to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
It called on member states and national institutions of human rights and civil society to exert further efforts to guarantee the protection of children rights, including children who are exploited in military goals, and to prevent all kinds of violence.
The conference demanded providing appropriate support for victims, mainly survivors of sexual violence without discrimination, including comprehensive medical treatments, mental healthcare, and psychological and legal support to ensure fairness and justice.
During the two-day event, participants also called for respecting international humanitarian law, which they said would help alleviate the suffering and limit the killing and displacement of people. It would also allow for the providing of humanitarian aid.
They highlighted the increasing number of conflicts in the Arab World recently, which have actually exceeded the abilities of humanitarian organizations to deal with.
They commended the timing of the conference, due to the deterioration of human rights in the region recently, something that required firm action. (end) nnd.hm