This way of thinking and behaviour led to the modern concept of clash of civilizations and thus declaring war against many cultures and countries. Consequently, the fundamental human rights are violated and even lost i.e. the right to live in safe and secure environment and the right of people to self-determination and to choose their own regime government according to the wish of the people. The right to freedom of thinking and of expression are curtailed due to the new McCarthyism named after Senator Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957) advocated by certain leaders, scholars and clergymen in certain parties of the world.

Fourth: The way out of our current dilemma or the vicious circle of the cycle of violence, conflicts and wars is through dialogue and reconciliation. This approach of dialogue though sometimes seems tedious and endless but it is less perilous and could lead to reconciliation and harmony rather than mobilizations of forces to settle differences through the rattle of swords. Once more Islam calls for dialogue and putting forward one's argument in a sober way to achieve one's objectives.

Reflecting on the current international situation one can envisage certain characteristics salient among them are:

1. The revolution of information and communication technology (ICT) that has virtually shortened the distance brought down the barriers and boundaries, and opened the skies.

2. The globalization phenomenon has changed the nature of human rights in substance, form and practice.

3. The new development in international law and international judicial system, particularly the increasing role of the UN Security Council in issues of human rights and the assertive role by the International Criminal Tribune vis `a-vis the violation of human rights, all this led to new stage and a new perspective in looking at the issue of human rights world-wide.

4. The increasing importance of the UN Council on Human Rights as well as other international, regional and national NGOs have led to the increasing of the importance of the issue of human rights. They play the role of watchdog on human rights.

It is to be remembered that the developing countries and the former socialist countries took a balanced approach, at least theoretically, at the UN system to advocate the three following ideas:

First: The idea of complementarity and indivisibility of civil and political rights; and the economic, social and cultural rights, which is adopted by the developing countries.

Second: The idea of the right to development as a basic human right and should have been achieved for the developing countries to be able to raise the standard of living for their people.

Third: The idea of the cooperation between the developed and developing world, which was advocated by the Non-Alignment movement.

This is what I could call a balanced approach to promote harmony and to avoid conflict among nations.

Unfortunately, the divide between North and South still exists and the gap is increasing. Needless to say that such a situation does not lead to harmonious international relations. I salute the call of President Hu Jintao to endeavour and intensify efforts to build harmonious international relations.

As advocates of human rights, at national, regional and international levels, I feel that we should call for denouncing concepts such as clash of civilizations, xenophobia, Islamophobia and hatred of the others. Such ideas represent nothing but myopia, and lead to nothing but fomenting conflicts, wars and hatred among people and nations.

I believe that the concept of building harmonious international relations is a noble concept, it is the dream of humanity all over its march towards development and prosperity. We should work to make it sacrosanct concept for the coming generations to be able to enjoy their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

It is pertinent to conclude with the first sentence of the UN charter that "We the people of the world determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind; to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of human person, in equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small."

Thank you for your indulgence…