Arab league resurfaces

·Formed in 1945. The main goal of the league is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries."      

·         the league was earlier criticised as a body that serves dictators

·         but oflate things are changing

  It has proposed to suspend syria and yemen for its attempts to suppress democratic protests

·         it has ruled out any further international intervention in region after the libya misadventure

·         in 2008, it agreed to a charter on human rights that was in line with international norms

·         in contrast the organisation of islamic cooperation has a human rights charter based on islamic shariah law

·         OIC has been campaigning for inclusion of protection for preventing defamation of religions under human rights

·         Arab league has a potential for constructive engagement with world with its forward looking outlook

·         It needs deepen and widen its interaction with the world