Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) had to issue another statement at the weekend to defend its record regarding the welfare of construction workers on Saadiyat Island.
It is unlikely that any other entity across the world has gone to the trouble of issuing regular statements explaining the real situation of its workers. But it hardly gets a break with the constant hammering by New York-based Human Rights Watch, which seems to have ignored all the abuses in the world and made the UAE its sole target.
Seriously, that is very strange to say the least. We have the right to be suspicious when during tragic events in places such as Libya, Yemen and the Occupied Territories human rights are being violated and innocent people lose their lives either to ruthless regimes such as Muammar Gaddafi's or at the hand of occupiers like Israel.
Still, HRW doesn't seem to notice that and keeps issuing reports on the treatment of the Saadiyat workforce. In its latest response, TDIC affirmed it has "a long standing and deep commitment to protecting workers' rights." A recent report, published by Gulf News (Cosy home for Saadiyat workers), shows the lengths to which TDIC has gone to ensure the welfare of the workforce.
Meanwhile, similar reports have recently surfaced on the cozy relationship of HRW officials and leading figures in the Gaddafi regime, mainly his son Saif Al Islam, who is currently leading the murderous campaign against the Libyan people.
In several articles, published by Foreign Policy as recent as February 2010 among others, a top HRW official referred to Saif Al Islam as one of the ‘forces of reform' and favourably compared his organisation, the Gaddafi Foundation to HRW. The group may have done good things to advance the cause of human rights. But it loses credibility when it targets one country in what could be seen unfortunately as a blackmail attempt and ignores flagrant transgression of human rights in other countries.
