Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Human Rights: Problems and Prospects

Abstract

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) refers to itself as “the second-largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations and collective voice of the Muslim world”. Its 57-member states are spread over four continents and Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran are its key players. Historically, however, the OIC has had a complicated relationship with the international human rights regime and human rights universality. While there are still several shortcomings in the promotion and protection of human rights in its member states, the purpose of the research at hand is to demonstrate that the OIC is in the process of transitioning towards international human rights norms. To do so, this thesis analyzes recent activities of OIC organs and major players in the field of human rights and revising procedure of the OIC’s controversial Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, which will be changed into the OIC Declaration on Human Rights.