The Faculty of Education at Ain Shams University hosted Dr. Hatem Al-Abd, Director of the Center for Middle East Research and Future Studies, in a symposium entitled “Human Rights and Society” under the patronage of Prof. Safaa Shehata, Dean of the Faculty, and Prof. Aladdin Abdel Halim, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs.

At the beginning of the symposium, Prof. Alaa El-Din Abdel Halim welcomed Dr. Hatem Al-Abd, praising his rich history in the field of international law. He also praised the Middle East Research Center, that distinguished scientific and research edifice, and its pioneering role in raising the level of cultural awareness among university youth.

After that, Dr. Hatem Al-Abd thanked those responsible for preparing this symposium, especially at this crucial time that the Middle East region is going through.

Dr. Al-Abd emphasized that to understand human rights law, you must first become familiar with the concept of law in general, which is the set of rules that regulate relations between members of society during a specific period of time in a specific territory, and is divided into public law and private law.

Dr. Hatem Al-Abd added that human rights law is one of the branches of public law, and it is concerned with all the inherent rights granted to humans as human beings, regardless of their color, religion, gender, nationality, and race. This is such as the right to life, the right to education, the right to health services, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to freedom of belief.

His Excellency stressed that the state is responsible for providing human rights to its citizens, ensuring the application and exercise of those rights, and protecting and guaranteeing them. On the other hand, citizens must fulfill their duties towards their country and not violate the laws or infringe on the rights of others.

Dr. Al-Abd pointed out that international human rights are based on four main sources, which are the Declaration of Human Rights issued by the French Revolution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued by the United Nations, and finally the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights, in addition to the Each country has its own human rights charter that is appropriate to its own religion, culture, and customs.

Dr. Al-Abd then reviewed the definition of international humanitarian law concerned with periods of war and armed conflict to ensure the safety and security of civilians and parties not participating in the armed conflict.

When His Excellency was asked about the war in Gaza, and the role of human rights law and international humanitarian law, His Excellency answered that politics plays an essential role in managing the crisis in Gaza. From a legal perspective, Palestine is an occupied land and its people have the right to armed resistance to recover their lands and restore their freedom, while it is not possible under any circumstances. It is impossible to believe Israel's claims that it is in a state of legitimate self-defense. Indeed, it is committing all forms of war crimes. Despite this, since the beginning of the conflict, Western countries have been quick to endorse and support Israel by all means to achieve their political and personal interests.

At the end of the symposium, Prof. Alaa El-Din Abdel Halim extended many thanks and a certificate of honor to Dr. Hatem Al-Abd, for the rich information he provided and a wonderful and smooth presentation of the most important aspects of human rights law.