Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin (center), a professor of sociology at the State Islamic University of Yogyakarta and head of a center for women's rights in Indonesia, chairing the first meeting of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission in Jakarta, Tuesday. JEDDAH — The 18 members of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) elected one of its four women members to chair their first meeting, the Commission said in a statement issued here Tuesday. The First Session of the IPHRC is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia from February 20 to 24. The Commission members elected Indonesian member Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, a professor of sociology at State Islamic University of Yogyakarta and head of a center for women's rights in Indonesia, to chair the first meeting. The Commission's three other women members are Dr. Raihanah Abdullah from Malaysia, Ambassador Ilham Ahmed from Sudan and Asila Wardak from Afghanistan. Commenting on Dzuhayatin's election, the spokesperson of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) spokesperson Rizwan Shaikh said: “This sends out a positive signal regarding the independent approach taken by the Commission at the very outset. It is indeed reflective of the new OIC propelled by the vision of moderation and modernization.” As part of its agenda, the Commission discussed the Draft Rules of Procedure, which includes the Commission's nature, membership and bureau. The rights of women and children in the OIC member states are high on the agenda of the Commission.
