Bern, Oct 18 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged first among Arab countries, and 14th globally, in terms of respect for human rights, scoring 71.15 percent on the International Human Rights Rank Indicator (IHRRI).
Norway came first on the human rights indicator achieving 90.22 percent while the US came in the 20th position due to its responsibility for human rights outside its territory, way ahead of Syria which came in the 210th position, according to the list issued Thursday by the Switzerland-based Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD).
GNRD, in a statement, described its IHRRI as the most trustworthy and complete international human rights rank indicator, reflecting live data on the respect for human rights in 216 countries.
"We introduced today a real, bias-free international human rights rank indicator that is unique in its implementation," GNRD said in a statement, adding that the launch of IHRRI represented the first phase of its project whereas the second phase would see large-screen displays at international airports and public squares in different countries to show the results of the human rights indicator.
"Human rights need careful attention and neutral attitude, the brighter and wider the violations of human rights are presented the better measures are taken on the way to stop them," the NGO added.
GNRD acts in cooperation with various international organisations, governments and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to make the outcomes full and veritable.
"More than 2,000 individuals all over the world are collecting and entering information constantly," it said in its announcement of the index on its website.
The GNRD is an international NGO established in June 2008 with the aim of enhancing and supporting both human rights and development by adopting new strategies and policies for real changes.
--IANS/WAM
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