The Teaching of Human Rights in the Arab World

For a long time, human rights were a taboo subject in most Arab countries. Only ten Arab states have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and most fail to submit reports on time. No Arab country has adhered to the 1984 Convention against Torture. Despite an abundance of draft projects and declarations, no binding human rights instrument exists in the region. However, a recent trend toward promotion and teaching of human rights has emerged, with several seminars and conferences organised, including events in Cairo, Kuwait, and preparations for the 1987 World Congress on Human Rights Teaching in Malta.