UAE's permanent representative appreciates cooperative approach by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Geneva: Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva has appreciated the cooperative approach by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and welcomed her work on combatting discrimination. The United Arab Emirates agreed with the annual report that the fight against poverty and the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights deserved improvements. In his statement before the Human Rights Council within the interactive dialogue on the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UAE representative expressed his support for the High Commissioner's concept which says that the technical cooperation programmes and capacity building are the most effective means to assist countries wishing to develop its economic, social and political infrastructure, stressing his support for upgrading the programme. He indicated that the report has focused on the initiative of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, pertaining to the work plan entitled ''The Rights First" which aims to improve work in order to protect human rights all over the world. He also deemed the initiative as an additional step. Al Zaabi encouraged the Higher Commissioner and her office to step forward in this approach, stressing the importance of constant and precautionary efforts even if they are long and expensive instead of easy and non-viable solutions in the long term. He expressed UAE's happiness over Higher Commissioner's initiatives to send human rights groups to Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2013 to monitor the situation and give their feedback in connection with the sectarian violence and the handling of internally displaced persons, IDPs. Commenting on the situation in Syria, the ambassador expressed UAE's regret over the intransigence of the authorities in Syria to prevent teams of the High Commissioner for Human Rights from entering in the area for carrying out their mission in the framework of their UN mandate. At the end of his statement he wished that the Higher Commissioner would give more attention to the sufferings of the Palestinian People, as the Israeli occupation in itself is a violation of all human rights. He said, "I am seizing this opportunity to encourage the Commissioner to continue to work with all peace-loving people to help the Palestinians achieve their right to self-determination and an independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem. – Emirates News Agency, WAM