ABU DHABI // The Government is preparing to discuss its first human rights report before the UN's top rights body this week during a session that will be broadcast live from Geneva. A webcast of Thursday's session will be streamed from the UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva via its website. Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs, is heading the delegation, and will address the 47-member council during a three-hour session. Describing the report as a "truly historical documentation of the UAE's achievements in human rights", he said the process itself would provide the government with "different models" to protect human rights.
The UAE National Report, published in Arabic and English, was made public in September when it was submitted to the council. It was compiled as part of a new review procedure under which the human rights records of all UN member states will be assessed every four years. Dr Gargash is expected to address the council for one hour during the morning session, followed by two hours of questions from the council. The webcast can be viewed by visiting www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil It will be available on Thursday from 12pm local time.
zconstantine@thenational.ae
