NEW YORK // The UAE has reaffirmed its commitment to the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East, during a recent UN Security Council debate.
A statement asserting the commitment to human rights “regardless of religion or ethnicity” was delivered by Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE representative to the UN, state news agency Wam reported.
Ms Nusseibeh took aim at extremist groups such as ISIL, which she accused of exploiting inter-ethnic differences for their own agendas.
“As long as Daesh continues to survive, all communities are under threat. Violent extremism knows no boundaries,” she said.
“Islam recognises and honours the great faiths that preceded it. Throughout our history, religious minorities have been protected in Muslim communities from those who sought to harm them.”
Ms Nusseibeh said the UAE showed it was possible for the “rich cultural tapestry of the Middle East” that once existed to be revived.
“More than 200 different nationalities live and work and worship their own faiths freely in the UAE,” she said.
Ms Nusseibeh called on the Security Council to “consistently condemn the systematic persecution of minorities wherever these take place”, and urged fellow nations to seek solutions through the UN.
“Member states must have the courage to do what is right, and not only what is politically convenient,” she said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced his intention to convene a Middle East advisory panel on “inter-religious and intra-sectarian dynamics”, and an action plan to prevent violent extremism.
The panel is expected to commence during the 70th UN General Assembly in September.
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