Delivered by: Khawla Almuhairi
Madam President,
At the outset, I would like to thank you for your efforts in administering this meeting. I would also like to thank the Special Rapporteurs for presenting their reports to the Committee.
The UAE align itself with the statement of the Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Madam President,
We meet today to discuss two issues of utmost importance for my country. The first relates to the right to self-determination, including the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. The second revolves around principles and values that form an integral part of the social fabric of the UAE, which is the promotion of the fundamental freedoms for all members of society by eliminating racism, racial discrimination, and hate.
From this standpoint, the UAE stresses the need to focus on the following:
First, on the Palestinian people’s right for the self-determination, the international community must ensure compliance with international law and international humanitarian law, including the right of the people to self-determination. In this regard, my country condemns the war on Gaza and its disastrous consequences on civilians, including women and girls. This war also has a grave impact on children, who suffer from diseases, malnutrition, and deprivation of education due to the ongoing conflict. The UAE renews its solidarity with the Palestinian people and supports them in achieving their inalienable rights in establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution.
Second, regarding the elimination of discrimination, racism, racial discrimination, and hatred, it must be understood that extremism, racism, and hate speech contribute to the spread, exacerbation, and recurrence of conflicts. We must take concrete steps to address these challenges, especially at a time when the world is witnessing a sharp increase in hate speech, which leads to dividing peoples based on their cultures, religions, and ethnicities, not to mention affecting international peace and security. As part of our national efforts, the UAE believes in ensuring the rights of its citizens and residents to live in an environment free from extremism, hate speech, and racism. The UAE Constitution stipulates equality, social justice, and equal opportunities. Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2023 on Combating Discrimination, Hatred, and Extremism is one example of the UAE’s efforts in this regard, as the law prohibits contempt for religions, hatred, and discrimination against others.
Third, the UAE urges the international community to support efforts to eliminate discrimination and racism through multilateralism, to build just and peaceful societies. In this context, I would like to refer to Security Council Resolution 2686 (2023), submitted by the UAE, in cooperation with the United Kingdom, on tolerance, peace, and security. This Resolution also strengthens the UN’s efforts to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes, and to promote conflict resolution, reconstruction, and peacebuilding efforts. It outlines several concrete steps the UN can take to address racism and promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, including calling on peacekeeping forces and special political missions to monitor and report on hate speech.
In conclusion, the UAE stresses the importance of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, and for the international community to make every possible effort to save the two-state solution. Concrete measures must be taken to combat racism, racial discrimination, and hatred, by adopting a comprehensive approach that emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, and respect.
Thank you, Madam President.