Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm position on the universality of human rights, an endorsement which presents no “imposition to principles and values held by the true Islamic faith.” Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. AbdulAziz Al Wasil, speaking to the 36th session of the of the Human Rights Council, stressed the Kingdoms keenness to continue and strengthen cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He pointed to the Memorandum of Understanding, which the Kingdom concluded with the Commission, as an important step in this regard, noting that the programs implemented in cooperation with the UNHCR aim to build national capabilities for the promotion and protection of human rights. Al Wasil added that Saudi Arabia, based on its firm positions, international commitments and close ties with the Yemeni people, has been one of the largest donors to Yemen. It significantly contributed to the humanitarian assistance to alleviate the sufferings of the brotherly Yemeni people through programs and partnerships with regional and international governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations. The latest of these programs was allocation of $ 66 million to fight the cholera epidemic. According to the diplomat, the increased need for humanitarian assistance is caused by militia activity. Iran-allied militiamen are held accountable for crimes, such as looting humanitarian aid and the disruption and obstruction of humanitarian work. He called on international organizations operating in Yemen to put pressure on the coup militias to facilitate and deliver humanitarian assistance to the intended beneficiaries. Al Wasil said Bahrain has suffered, and is still suffering, from foreign interference trying to destabilize domestic security and divide national unity. Bahrain is exerting concrete and genuine efforts to protect human rights in the framework of its sovereign right to defend its security and stability against any external interference or terror acts, he said. On Palestine, he said that for more than six decades, the Palestinian people have been constantly subjected to gross human rights violations. In this context, he renewed the call on the international community to live up to its responsibility and take the necessary arrangements to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. He also reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.