Egypt Hosts OIC Conference on "Children's Rights"

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
http://www.realcourage.org/2009/11/egypt-hosts-oic-conference-on-childrens-rights/

On November 23 and 24, 2009, Egypt will host a meeting of the Islamic supremacist "Organization of the Islamic Conference"  (OIC) member states, UNICEF, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and others on the "Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Islamic Jurisprudence."

The event is listed by the OIC as an OIC conference on their web site, and is described as the "International Conference on Implementing by OIC Member States of Convention on the Rights of the Child."

The meeting to be held in Cairo on "CRC and Islamic Jurisprudence" is promoted as "celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Convention on the Rights of The Child & The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood."

The concept note for the meeting states that "On the 20th November 2009, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the General Assembly of the United Nations. This event provides us with the opportunity to revisit the implementation of this convention in the Islamic State Parties.  Over the past 20 years a number of national seminars and meetings were held to discuss the relationship between the  CRC and the Islamic Shari'a.  On the other hand, few international gatherings of Islamic countries and international experts on the Rights of the Child, were held for sharing experiences on the implementation of the CRC in Islamic States -- analyzing achievements, obstacles and closely identifying challenges. This Conference is an opportunity for Islamic States to exchange views and experiences on ways and means to strengthen their commitment to the CRC. Some Muslim State Parties to the CRC have made reservations to the effect that the CRC would only be implemented if it is not in conflict with the Islamic Shari'a. The Conference will provide an opportunity for Muslim States to examine the extent to which such reservations have varied from one Muslim country to the another. This is an indication that there is a need for consensus in the areas that may or may not be in harmony with the Islamic Shari'a."

Many nations with preponderence of Islamic adherents who choose to be signatories to The Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) took exception to it based on Sharia law or Islamic law.

The OIC promotes its own "Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam," where children's rights are all based on Islamic Sharia Law.

The OIC organization rejects the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (UDHR), which is a fundamental basis for the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).  Instead, the OIC organization has promoted the "Cairo Declaration of Human Rights," where all human rights are dependent on Islamic Sharia law.

The Cairo conference planners seek to have children participants as well to show the press.  Child participants are urged to know "what you are NOT prepared to talk about" and "remember you do not have to answer any or part of the questions that are being asked."  The guidelines for child participants in interacting with the media also warn them to consider "Are there people who might want to harm you if they see your story?" and "How would you feel if your story appeared in the media in a few years time/ was still be read many years from now."

Egypt has recently partnered with the United States in a UNHRC resolution that seeks to challenges freedom of speech or press raised against Islamic views, as "religious stereotyping."

Egypt has long been notorious for its oppression of Coptic Christian girls and women who have frequently been kidnapped, raped, and forcible converted to Islam.  The the Christian Solidarity International and the Coptic Foundation for Human Rights recently issued a report on this human right crisis entitled "The Disappearance, Forced Conversions, and Forced Marriages of Coptic Christian Women in Egypt."

Egypt: Coptic Christian Women and Girls Reportedly Kidnapped for Forced Conversion to Islam

In addition, Egypt has also been notorious for oppression of religious minorities in general, including Islamic supremacists threatening leading Egyptian figures, such as Dr. Sayed Mahmoud El Qemany.

On November 17, 2009, AINA reports that "15-year-old Egyptian girl Dina el-Gowhary, who converted from Islam to Christianity, has sent a plea to President Obama, complaining of mistreatment by the Egyptian Government and asking for his mediation."

Peter Athanasius and 15 year old Daughter Dina

The OIC state Cairo conference on "children's rights" is sponsored by Nike.

Nike is currently marketing new sports shoes to the Middle Eastern market called "Master Control."

Nike's "Middle East" Campaign for "Master Control" Shoes

Sign at R.E.A.L.'s Protest of OIC