Riyadh: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) participated in the 24th regular session of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia. This participation featured a presentation of a working paper titled ‘The Right to Health’ delivered by Director of the Legal Affairs Department at NHRC, Nasser Marzouq Al Marri.

According to Qatar News Agency, during the session, NHRC advocated for the governance of social media and various applications of artificial intelligence to mitigate potential negative impacts on the right to health, including mental and psychological well-being. It highlighted the significant role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in upholding human rights and stressed their vital role in supporting communities to overcome crises and mitigate their impacts while ensuring minimal harm to human rights.

NHRC also underscored the importance of preparedness to safeguard the right to health during emergencies,
such as natural disasters, crises, and armed conflicts. It called for local and international collaboration to develop preemptive emergency response plans addressing violations of the right to health, ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights. The focus extended to safeguarding the health rights of vulnerable groups, particularly during crises, and advocating for comprehensive awareness and training programs for individuals and stakeholders on mitigating risks and violations of the right to health during emergencies.

Through the working paper titled ‘The Right to Health,’ Al Marri highlighted the pivotal role of NHRIs in ensuring equitable access to all human rights, particularly the right to health, thereby contributing effectively to a better quality of life for all, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. He explored the right to health from both Islamic and human rights perspectives, showcasing NHRC’s best practices.

Al Marri emphasized that from an Islamic perspective, the right to l
ife is the second most significant human right, noting that this right cannot be fully realized without good health and a healthy environment, both integral to the right to life. He further stated that the right to health cannot be overlooked or sacrificed for other rights, including religious obligations, as Islam considers health essential for preserving life and fulfilling religious duties. Al Marri also referenced the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition of health, which encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease or infirmity.