Dr. Workneh meets UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein at his offices on Thursday.

The discussions focused on ways of establishing closer cooperation with Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The two sides also touched upon the recent Report of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Dr. Workneh welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and mentioned the national strides and continuous progresses made in Ethiopia in terms of promoting democratic rule of governance and dealing with related challenges.

The Foreign Minister also underscored the need to further work in concert with the UN rights body to enhance areas of democratization and human rights in the country.

“The support from our international partners is helping us in many ways,” the Foreign Minister noted.

Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein for his part praised the warm hospitality accorded to him, which he said was what Ethiopia is known for.

Speaking about his stay in Ethiopia, the UN High Commissioner stated the visit was quite a success and commended the openness of the government’s stance and its commitment to transform the country.

He said Ethiopia is an active partner in the United Nations Security Council and one of the leading contributors of troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.

OHCHR is looking forward to working closely with Ethiopia in various areas of mutual interest, he said. “Ethiopia is a very important country in a number of areas,” he added.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Intent to ink a Host Country Agreement for the establishment of OHCHR Regional Office in Ethiopia.

Source: MoFA