Salam for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR) is an organisation registered in the United Kingdom and several European states. SALAM DHR promotes and seeks to protect international human rights standards and states’ adherence to them. The work of SALAM DHR is rooted in international human rights law (IHRL) and focuses mainly on Bahrain and the Gulf but also the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA, also called MENA) region; SALAM DHR does not have expertise in international humanitarian law (IHL) and generally refrains from commenting on matters relating to IHL.
In response to requests, comments and criticisms made to the organisation and members of SALAM DHR, the organisation urges all parties to the conflict to abide by IHL in the conduct of their armed action against other states.
As far as SALAM DHR is aware, none of the states involved in conflict have taken action to derogate from the provisions of international human rights treaties to which they are state parties. Accordingly, SALAM DHR calls on all states to abide by the relevant international standards to which each is a state party. All states must abide by customary international law (CIL).
On the basis of its understanding of the current conflict in the SWANA region, SALAM DHR finds that:
- The initiation of international armed conflict by the governments of Israel and the United States against Iran did not conform to rules and procedures set out in Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Article 51 in Chapter VII of the UN Charter asserts the right of Members of the UN to take defensive action, as Iran has done. This assessment is not connected to the adherence by any of those states to human rights law applicable to each, and
- Setting aside the responsibility for the initiation of or response to international armed conflict, all parties to the conflict must abide by IHL. SALAM DHR acknowledges the contested character of some, though not all of the targeting, by all parties involved in the conflict. The organisation is not in a position to assess these in terms of IHL. SALAM DHR acknowledges the presence of US, as well as UK and French military facilities in the area of the current conflict and that these will shape and inform the application of IHL.
- SALAM DHR acknowledges that the current international armed conflict in the SWANA region has killed or otherwise impacted non-combatants in many or all of the states in the region. While SALAM DHR urges parties to the conflict to refrain from such targeting, our organisation and our members urge states to ensure that impacted non-combatants receive prompt medical and other care and attention as they may require.
- With respect to the government of Bahrain, SALAM DHR urges authorities to release immediately anyone detained for the peaceful expression of their conscientiously held beliefs. The government must ensure the human rights of those detained for acts that constitute internationally recognisable criminal offences and provide to them prompt access to independent legal representation of their choice.
SALAM DHR decries all states’ erosion towards adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law over the past five to ten years.
In line with the spirit and letter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IHL and IHRL, notably, legally binding standards of state conduct; and in accordance with respect for human life and dignity, SALAM DHR urges all states to end international armed conflict in violation of recognised and internationally accepted UN procedures.
Sayed Yusuf Almuhafdha, Advisory Board Member of Director of SALAM DHR said:
“We call on all states to use existing international mechanisms to conduct inter-state dialogue and to promote peace and the freedom of all people. These are humanity’s strategic options for international decision-making and for the promotion and protection of human rights domestically. The alternative is a return to humanity’s most violent, oppressive chapters.”
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Contact:
- Jawad Fairooz, Director, SALAM DHR +447449926577 (English, Arabic)
- Sayed Yusuf Almuhafdha, Advisory Board Member +4915222704075 (German, Arabic)
