Shahad Matar emphasized that this overt act of aggression represents a clear violation of the nation’s sovereignty and a total disregard for international law.
The United Arab Emirates has affirmed its full and legitimate right to respond to the Iranian attacks under international law, to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
The statement was delivered by Shahad Matar, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, during the UAE’s participation in a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Matar detailed that the UAE has been subjected to Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure since February 28, resulting in the deaths of three innocent civilians and injuries to 58 others.
She emphasized that this blatant aggression represents a clear violation of the UAE’s sovereignty and a complete disregard for the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Matar reaffirmed the UAE’s categorical rejection of the use of its territory as a platform for settling scores or escalating conflicts and strongly condemned attacks targeting Gulf Cooperation Council states and other Arab countries in the region, expressing full solidarity with these sisterly nations.
She also called for restraint, stressing that dialogue and diplomatic solutions remain the best means to ensure regional security.
Concluding her remarks, Matar highlighted that the UAE is home to over 200 nationalities, many of whom are represented in the Human Rights Council, and underscored that the attacks were not only against the UAE but against international principles themselves, which must be addressed accordingly.
