UAE summons Swiss ambassador over Bahrain statement

Manama: The United Arab Emirates has summoned the Swiss ambassador over remarks made by Switzerland to the UN over the human rights situation in Bahrain.

Dr. Abdul Rahim Al Awadhi, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for Legal Affairs, summoned Maya Tissafi, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE, over the Swiss statement against Bahrain.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director of the European Affairs Department at the Ministry, was also present in the meeting. Al Awadhi expressed to the Swiss ambassador UAE’s denunciation over the Swiss statement against Bahrain at the Human Rights Council, adding that it was better if such issues were resolved through established bilateral channels between Bahrain and Switzerland.

The statement was also perceived as not representative of the truth, as Bahrain has made numerous steps to improve its human rights record.

Dr. Al Awadhi informed Ambassador Tissafi that the security and stability of Bahrain is integral to security and stability of the UAE, and such statements give a pretext for committing destructive and terrorist acts. He added that the UAE is looking forward to Switzerland’s reviewing of their position on this issue.