Abu Dhabi (WAM)
Saeed Al Habsi, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, affirmed the UAE’s commitment to continue efforts to develop and promote civil, political, economic, cultural and social human rights for all segments of society. He said: “The UAE has achieved during the current year a set of outstanding achievements in the human rights file, which included the adoption of a package of important legislation in line with the requirements of the current stage and in line with international human rights conventions, the formation of the National Human Rights Authority, the preparation of the national plan for human rights, as well as the implementation of A number of programs, events and awareness-raising activities aimed at promoting a culture of human rights at the national level. He added, “The UAE has an internationally recognized human rights file, which has been reinforced by its successful experiences in many areas, such as women’s empowerment, tolerance and labor rights.” last October. Today, the world celebrates Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10 of each year. On this occasion, the following report reviews the most prominent steps and achievements made by the UAE in terms of promoting and developing human rights locally and internationally. At the national level, the UAE has been keen on developing and strengthening its legislative and normative system and continuing its efforts towards promoting human rights for all segments of society, including civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights. During the last period, the state adopted a package of important legislation, including, but not limited to, the Federal Law on the Protection of Witnesses and Those in Their Status, and the Federal Law on the National Human Rights Authority, in addition to introducing very important and broad legislative amendments that included penal laws, combating discrimination and hatred, and legal conditions. Personal, civil transactions, penal procedures, commercial companies and work, which were in line with the needs and requirements of the current stage and in line with the international human rights conventions to which the UAE is a party. Federal Law No. 12 of 2021 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, regarding the National Human Rights Authority, was one of the most important laws concerned with strengthening the system of national human rights mechanisms in the country. Other governmental mechanisms as a body enjoying an independent legal personality and financial and administrative independence in the exercise of its functions, activities and competencies in the field of human rights, and based in its work on the Paris Principles for National Human Rights Institutions. The commission constitutes a strong and complementary addition to the work carried out by the national human rights mechanisms and local and federal institutions in the state in the field of human rights. And work to spread the culture of human rights, and raise awareness of community members about it, including holding seminars, conferences and discussion panels related to human rights, and submitting proposals, recommendations and advice to the authorities and the competent authorities in everything that would protect and promote human rights and their follow-up, in addition to submitting suggestions to the authorities The competent authorities on the compatibility of legislation and laws with international charters, covenants and agreements on human rights, to which the state is a party and follow-up, in addition to monitoring any violations or violations of human rights, ensuring their validity and reporting them to the competent authorities, in addition to participating in international and regional forums concerned with human rights. The human. The commission will work in a cooperative, participatory, consultative and coordinating framework alongside the National Human Rights Committee, whose membership consists of the relevant authorities and ministries in the country, and which relate to the entitlements of the human rights file at all national, regional and international levels. With regard to the plans, programs and activities of the National Human Rights Committee, the Committee oversees the preparation of the National Human Rights Plan in cooperation with the Federal National Council, civil society institutions in the state, and other relevant authorities. At the international level, the UAE has continued efforts to enhance cooperation with other countries and with United Nations bodies, mechanisms and committees, which contributes to the exchange of information, experiences and best practices in the field of human rights.
Membership of the Human Rights Council
The UAE’s victory in the membership of the Human Rights Council for the period from 2022-2024 during the elections that took place in the General Assembly last October, and for the third time in its history, reflects the confidence of the international community in the role of the state in contributing to the enrichment and development of the work and performance of the Council. Human rights have been reinforced by the UAE’s successful experiences in many areas such as women’s empowerment, tolerance and labor rights. The UAE is keen to use its membership in the Human Rights Council to work to enhance and enrich the work of the Council and the important files on its agenda, and will work to intensify its cooperation with relevant countries and regional groups, to confront global challenges related to human rights, especially with regard to climate and environmental changes and their impact on human rights. Human rights, the impact of the “Covid-19” pandemic on the enjoyment of human rights, issues of poverty, migration, spreading hatred, intolerance and racial discrimination, in addition to working on how to benefit from harnessing technology and artificial intelligence in the service of human rights. During its membership, the UAE will work to bring countries closer together on the contentious issues on the council’s agenda. In the context of its international initiatives in the field of human rights, the UAE and the United Kingdom submitted a resolution entitled “Achieving equal access for every girl to the right to education” last July, which was adopted by the Human Rights Council without a vote.
.