On behalf of the President of Yarmouk University, the Vice-President for Administrative Affairs, Prof. Anis Khasawneh patronized the activities of the symposium, "Refugees and Human Rights", which was organized by the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center at the university. The symposium was part of the International Day for Human Rights, which was held in cooperation with Al Shamal Association for Sustainable Development and the Nawafeth for Sustainable Development Foundation.
In his speech, Al-Khasawneh stated that His Majesty King Abdullah II was among the pioneers in promoting human rights and public freedoms and protecting them with the utmost care. Thus, His Majesty decreed in 2000 to form a royal commission that aims at promoting human rights situation in Jordan, which results in establishing the National Center for Human Rights in 2002. The purpose was to achieve the royal vision concerning protecting and promoting human rights and public freedoms in Jordan relying on the tolerant message of Islam, the values contained in the Arab and Islamic heritage, the rights stipulated in the constitution, and the principles affirmed by the international covenants. Therefore, Yarmouk University, Al-Khasawneh added, has taken care of the issue of refugees and their freedom. Due to its belief in refugee’s active role in interacting with community issues and changes, the university encourages and supports scientific research related to the topic of asylum, represented by its interest in implementing projects at the local and international levels through its Center for Refugee Studies and Forced Migration.
The director of the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center at the University, Dr. Anas Sobh, declared that the world celebrates the International Day for Human Rights on the tenth of December of each year to raise global awareness of the issue of human rights. Then he added that His Majesty’s speech concerning human rights emphasized the supreme principles and values that protect human dignity and rights. The Center; therefore, is keen to continue its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights, to promote comprehensive and sustainable development approaches to upgrade the services provided to citizens and refugees, to preserve refugees' rights, and to meet their requirements through cooperation with local community organizations, institutions, and associations.
Noteworthy that the symposium was attended by professor Jamal Jit, who talked about the legal status of refugees (Syrian refugees as a model), the lawyer Fadi Bawaneh, who spoke about human rights in accordance with international agreements and covenants, the President of Al Shamal Association for Sustainable Development, Heba Al-Khasawneh, the director of Nawafeth Foundation for Sustainable Development, Assem Al-Tawah, a number of faculty members at the university, and a crowd of university students.