UAE | Government
UAE plans national rights commission
The UAE is considering a plan to set up a national human rights commission in line with global standards, a top official told the United Nations.
- WAM
- Published: 23:35 December 4, 2008
- Dr Gargash (right) said the UAE government was moderning its laws and practices in the field of human rights.
- Image Credit: WAM
Geneva: The UAE has had a challenging but progressive track record on human rights issues, said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in a statement delivered before the third Working Group reviewing the UAE's fulfilment of human rights obligations.
"The UAE respects the integrity of every individual that resides in the country. Its commitment to guarantee equality and social justice for all citizens is ingrained in the Constitution," he said, noting the UAE is keen on tackling human rights issues head on.
The Minister said this aspiration stems "from our own cultural heritage and religious values which enshrine justice, equality and tolerance. The government is aware of the significance of its human rights record and is investing its energies to modernise laws and practices."
He said the UAE has had its ups and downs in this process and now its efforts have been appraised.
The UAE is now in the process of studying the establishment of a national human rights commission in the country, in line with the Paris Principles, Gargash said.
"The UAE is committed to studying the framework for accession to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment," Gargash said, adding that many laws were introduced and implemented to this effect.
He said the UAE considers the following issues as critical in its pursuit of positive human rights record - political participation, women and labour.
Major steps have been taken during the last few years to enhance political participation, he said, both at the federal and local levels, to modernise and institutionalise the UAE government structure in order to make it more responsive to the needs of its growing population and to widen the avenues of participation.
The tradition and process of consultation and dialogue were reflected in the establishment of the UAE federation in 1971, as well as the consultative body of the nation, the Federal National Council (FNC).
The UAE has initiated a political modernisation plan that seeks to expand the avenues for political participation.
Empowering
The plan, outlined by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is a multi-stage process. With the intention of making the FNC a representative body, as well as enhancing the role and authority of the FNC, landmark elections in 2006 saw half its members elected to public office via an electoral college of nominated citizens.
The UAE is considering how to increase the FNC's scope of authority and responsibility leading to comprehensive and direct elections of half the FNC members. Two days ago, constitutional amendments were approved by the Supreme Council to fulfil a part of this plan. On the issue of women, the UAE leadership is committed to empowering women and utilising their skills in the growing economy.
Emirati women are emerging as leaders in non-traditional careers, from airline pilots to ambassadors and high-level positions, including marriage registrars, public prosecutors and judges; more such efforts are expected to follow, Gargash said.
In February, the Cabinet reshuffle increased the number of women ministers to four, which reflects the government's serious commitment to positively impact women's leadership role in society.
Social support initiatives across the country include the Dubai Shelter for Women and Children established to provide support and psychological care to all national and expatriate women victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, family neglect, employer abuse and other social problems.
A similar shelter has been established in Abu Dhabi, and more such shelters are planned across the country.
The government has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, Gargash said.
Commenting on the issue of labour, Gargash said the UAE, as a member of the International Labour Organisation, the Arab Labour Organisation and other labour-focused multilateral organisations, seeks to work transparently and objectively with regard to its obligations.
"Over the past few years, federal and individual emirate governments have instituted sweeping reforms aimed at improving working conditions and worker rights, reflecting the UAE's commitment to treating all guest workers with dignity and respect," he added.
Ensuring the fair and on-time payment of workers is a particular priority of the labour policy enforcement, Gargash said, adding that the government is working on a new law to protect domestic workers, which will afford them far greater protection and assurances.
The UAE is also in the process of finalising a revised version of Federal Labour Law No. 8 (1980), which has already seen amendments in 1981, 1985 and 1986.
Human trafficking
Further, in recent years, the UAE has improved dialogue with individual labour-exporting countries and established consultations at the multilateral level to encourage a spirit of partnership. This includes a pilot project aimed at studying the difficulties faced by workers from the point of job recruitment in their countries until they return home after employment in the UAE.
In order to institutionalise the fight against human trafficking and protect its victims, especially women, the government enacted Federal Law 51 in 2006, which calls for strong punitive measures covering all forms of human trafficking - not just overt enslavement but also sexual exploitation, child labour, and commerce in human organs.
A Cabinet order established the UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in 2007 to create a coordinating body for anti-human trafficking efforts at all levels across the UAE.
Education
The UAE is committed to raising the age for compulsory education to 18 years. A 93 per cent literacy rate has been achieved.
Social services
In 2008, the government allocated over $600 million (Dh2,203m) in financial assistance for 38,000 beneficiaries belonging to 16 vulnerable social sections including the elderly, physically challenged, orphans, widows and divorced women.
Women
UAE women account for nearly 30 per cent of the national workforce.
There are four women ministers and eight women FNC members, representing a 22.5 per cent share of the 40-member FNC, compared to the world average of 17 per cent.
Labour
In 2007, 122,000 facilities were inspected by the labour ministry personnel and 8,588 were issued violations related to working conditions and workers' rights.
Human trafficking
The UAE has ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. The UAE contributed $15 million to support the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking.
Human rights education
The UAE is planning a human rights education syllabus for students of Grades 1-12.
Colleges of law and police are required to offer human rights courses.
A federal institute for judicial training and studies has been established.
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