The 11th Board Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsman Association (OICOA) convened on 25th June 2024, at the Savoy Le Grand Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco. This meeting hosted by the Mediator of Morocco and OICOA Board Member, H.E. Mohamed Benalilou, brought together the Executive Body of OICOA to address pressing global issues and reinforce the Association’s mission in combating the ongoing atrocities in the world within the mandate of OICOA.
Presiding over the meeting were H.E. Seref Malkoc, Chief Ombudsman of Turkiye and President of OICOA, and H.E. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan and Secretary General of OICOA.
The meeting was also attended by OICOA’s Board Members H.E. Sabina Aliyeva (Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan), and H.E. Ghada Hameed Habib (Secretary General of the Ombudsman of Bahrain). The Vice President of OICOA, H.E. Zabiullah Khodaeian (President General Inspection Organization of Iran), was represented by the Vice President of GIO, Iran Dr. Ahmed Rahmania, while H.E. Mokhammad Najih (Chairman of the Ombudsman of Indonesia), participated via video conferencing. The proceedings were conducted by Executive Secretary of OICOA, Mr. Almas Ali Jovindah.
The proceedings were started by His Excellency Mohamed Benalilou, who expressed his gratitude to those who were present and emphasized the role that the Moroccan Mediator’s office plays in providing justice that is complimentary to traditional courts and easily accessible. He also recognized and appreciated the support that he received from the Board Members during his election to the position of First Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).
In his address, H.E. Seref Malkoc emphasized the necessity of maintaining a robust foundation for OICOA through effective operations, continuous training, and public engagement. He highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and discussed the Special Report prepared by the Ombudsman Institution of Turkiye on the devastating impacts of the Israeli attacks. This report was submitted to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and aims to seek accountability of Israel for the ongoing atrocities against innocent Gazans.
H.E. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, Secretary General of OICOA, offered his reaffirmation to OICOA’s steadfast dedication to lending support for the Palestinian cause. While praising the special report on Gaza by Ombudsman Institution of Turkiye as an important tool for worldwide advocacy, he went into detail about his efforts to collect and donate money for immediate help to Gaza through Customs Healthcare Society of Pakistan.
The proceedings of the meeting were conducted by OICOA’s Executive Secretary, Almas Ali Jovindah who also reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to the advancement of OICOA. He remarked, “Guided by the exemplary leadership of OICOA President Seref Malkoc and Secretary General Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, I am deeply committed to enhancing the impact of OICOA. Our collective efforts will continue to champion justice and amplify the voices of the oppressed across OIC countries.”
One of the pivotal moments of the 11th Board Meeting was the unanimous approval of the Marrakech Declaration on the Situation in Gaza. This declaration condemns the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces and expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Board Members committed to disseminating the declaration widely through national media outlets to amplify OICOA’s message and help in laying ground for greater international awareness and support in this matter of grave concern.
Recognizing the importance of continuous professional development, the board discussed the implementation of regular training and capacity-building workshops. These workshops are envisioned as a cornerstone of OICOA’s operations, which aid in fostering skill enhancement and sharing of best practices of ombudsmanship among member institutions. The commitment to capacity building initiatives was deemed essential by all Board Members for OICOA’s Member Institutions in maintaining high standards of ombudsmanship and public service and President OICOA, H.E. Seref Malkoc urged all Board Members to actively participate in arrangement of such sessions.
The meeting also involved a comprehensive review of the decisions from the 10th OICOA Board Meeting held in Islamabad. Key initiatives were discussed which included the launch of the International Exchange-Based Internship Program, aimed at enhancing cross-cultural understanding and nurturing young interns at OICOA Member Institutions. Additionally, efforts of the OICOA Secretariat in Pakistan to secure ‘Affiliated Institution Status’ with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were also discussed at length.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Offices of Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan and Office of Mediator of Morocco regarding exchange of interns for the duration of 3 weeks. This officially commenced the launch of OICOA’s International Internship Exchange Program. Another MoU was signed between the Offices of Ombudsperson of Bahrain and Mediator of Morocco regarding facilitation of exchange of information and best practices in ombudsmanship.
A tribute to H.E. Mohamed Benalilou, honoring his appointment as the First Vice-President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) was also given by the Executive Body of OICOA. His exemplary contributions to justice, transparency, and good governance as the Mediator of Morocco were celebrated while recognizing his visionary leadership and significant impact on promoting human rights within OICOA and the global ombudsman community.
It goes without any doubt that the 11th OICOA Board Meeting ended at a positive note as it represented more than just an assembly of distinguished ombudsmen across OIC countries. Rather, it was a pertinent step in the course of OICOA in pursuance of being a voice of oppressed. The unanimous adoption of the Marrakech Declaration on Gaza was an unequivocal cursor to the Association’s deep commitment to addressing pressing global issues and advocating for innocent Palestinians. Additionally, signing of MoUs and the initiation of the OICOA International Internship Exchange Program proved once more that OICOA assured its commitment to international cooperation and professional growth for its Member Institutions in practical terms.
Looking ahead, the 11th OICOA Board Meeting has laid a strong foundation for its future endeavors by signaling a continued and deepened commitment to advancing its mission of advocating for justice, fostering international cooperation, and empowering its Member Institutions to confront the challenges of tomorrow with resilience and unity.
