NAJRAN – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has decided to open its second regional headquarters in the northern city of Najran, according to an official. Ahmad Mansour Abul Hassan, international observer at UNHRC, said that the international rights body has chosen Najran as its branch office, which will be operational soon. “The UNHRC had decided to open its branch headquarters in Saudi Arabia in 2010. Najran was chosen from among four Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Makkah and Abha, after elaborate studies,” he said. Abul Hassan noted that Saudi Arabia was chosen to become UNHRC branch headquarters in recognition of the outstanding contributions being rendered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to the global humanitarian field. “The king enjoys high reputation among the governments and people across the world,” he said while commending Saudi Arabia's pioneering role as the “Kingdom of Humanity” in alleviating the suffering of people worldwide. The UNHRC official also highlighted the remarkable track record of Najran in the human rights field through hosting several human rights conferences and seminars. Cairo is the first branch headquarters of UNHCR in the region.
