Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva has reiterated the country's firm stand in countering terrorism.

Al Zaabi made the remarks during a speech he delivered today before an interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Al Zaabi said the UAE was sharing with the rapporteur his concern about the human rights violations committed by the terrorist groups against civilians, particularly children, women and the elderly.

He said that extremism and terrorism were further fomented by the absence of justice in regional conflicts, the international legitimacy's double standards and the selective implementation of international laws.

He underlined the UN Security Council's resolutions emphasising the need to counter threats posed by terrorists to international peace and security.

"The UAE took many measures to counter terrorism. In 2014, the government issued the law on fighting terrorist crimes. The country hosts the Hedayah Centre for countering violent extremism," he added.

Regionally, the UAE participated in May 2015 in drafting the Islamic Parliamentary Union's Charter on Action against Terrorism and Extremism. It also co-chairs the Global Counter-Terrorism Task Force for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).

Source : WAM