Switzerland submits human rights proposals to Arab League
Switzerland has submitted proposals to the Arab League aimed at reinforcing the respect of human rights in the Middle East.
The aim of the proposals, delivered this week in Egypt to the head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, is to ensure the protection of Israeli and Palestinian civilians caught up in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Blaise Godet, head of the Swiss foreign ministry’s political affairs division, held talks with Moussa during a visit to the Middle East which kicked off last Friday.
An Arab League spokesperson said the Swiss proposals focused on how to guarantee the protection of civilians.
“The proposals also look at finding a way of increasing dialogue and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians on humanitarian questions,” the spokesperson said.
According to the Arab League, the Swiss government also envisages the establishment of a mechanism for monitoring the respect of human rights and a means of liaising between both sides.
Godet, the former Swiss ambassador to Cairo, also held talks with the head of Egypt’s diplomatic service, Ahmed Maher.
The Swiss diplomat plans stops in both Israel and the Palestinian territories before he returns to Switzerland on Thursday.
swissinfo with agencies
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