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All 193 UN member states participate in the mechanism, which provides an opportunity for countries to publicize the steps they are taking to strengthen human rights
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On Monday, May 8, 2023, the UAE and 13 other countries will submit their national reports to the 43rd session of the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Working Group.
The UAE report will outline the significant progress it has made in the field of human rights and highlight new laws and regulations to protect human rights.
Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, led the UAE delegation, which included representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), federal and local government agencies, and civil society institutions.
Al Mazrui will address the UN Human Rights Council on the UAE’s achievements in human rights and reaffirm the UAE’s determination to continue making progress and contributing to global best practices.
This is the fourth time that the UAE’s human rights record has been reviewed under the UPR process, following the first, second and third UPR procedures conducted by the Working Group in December 2008, January 2013 and January 2018. proceed checking.
All 193 member states of the United Nations participate in this mechanism, which provides an opportunity for countries to publicize the measures they are taking to strengthen human rights and overcome challenges in this area.
The UAE delegation will highlight the progress the UAE has made since its third periodic review in 2018, as well as its key achievements as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2022-2024 term, during which the UAE is committed to advancing international efforts to improve human rights.
The UAE’s report and Al Mazrui’s speech will shed light on the country’s policies and strategies to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the country’s enactment of laws that support human rights in a society characterized by tolerance, coexistence, and social and religious harmony.
The report shows that, since the last periodic review, the UAE has made many strides in furthering the recognition of human rights as part of the country’s wider development.
These include the passage of federal legislation on equal pay for men and women, prevention of domestic violence, public health, civil procedure, juvenile offenders and persons at risk of crime, persons of unknown origin, criminal procedure, industrial relations and protections for service personnel and targeting non-Muslim individuals identity law.
In addition, the UAE has introduced important and comprehensive changes to laws on combating discrimination and hatred, criminal offenses and penalties, and business matters.
In addition, from 2019 to 2022, the UAE passed more than 68 laws to strengthen the country’s legal framework, legal safeguards and institutional structures to protect human rights and promote social justice. In addition, a National Human Rights Commission had been established, which worked with civil society institutions to monitor the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan.
The delegation will also highlight the UAE’s progress in implementing the recommendations issued by the United Nations after the last universal periodic review in 2018, including legislative and institutional improvements; economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights; group rights; and religious freedom.
Since then, important laws, policies and strategies have been adopted, including the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, the UAE National Policy on Elderly Persons, the National Policy on Empowering People of Determination, the 2026 Gender Balance Council Strategy, National Family Policy and Family Protection Policy, National Food Security Strategy 2051, National Youth Strategy, Post-COVID-19 Recovery Plan and UAE Centenary 2071.
In addition, the Witness Protection Law, the Personal Status Law, the Penal Code and the UAE Code of Criminal Procedure have been passed, along with major legislative amendments to combat discrimination and hatred. The UAE will also outline its efforts to support global climate action by hosting the meeting of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai Expo City in November 2023. COP28 will focus on meeting climate change commitments and commitments, cooperating to take concrete action, finding solutions to challenges, and leveraging opportunities to ensure a sustainable future for future generations.
In terms of women’s empowerment, the UAE’s report highlights efforts to further modernize its strategy in this area based on its belief that women’s rights are fundamental to social development.
The report states that women make up one-third of the country’s ministers and 50 per cent of members of the Federal National Assembly. Women also hold important positions in fields such as education, business, entrepreneurship, technology, space, climate change mitigation and environmental protection. The UAE ranks first in the world in 30 indicators of women’s global competitiveness in 2022 and 2023. In government agencies, women make up 46.6% of the workforce and hold 66% of public sector jobs, including 30% of decision-making positions and 15% of technical and academic positions.
The report explains the measures taken by the UAE to protect children and provide them with adequate care, enacting legislation to uphold children’s rights. In this regard, the report refers to the Wadeema Act, which ensures the protection of children, the exercise of their rights and respect for their privacy. The Act also resulted in the establishment of child protection units in some ministries and local authorities.
Rights of the Disabled and the Elderly
The report outlines the UAE’s efforts to promote the rights of people with disabilities (people of determination), as the National Center for Diagnosis and Assessment was established to identify disabilities and maintain a comprehensive database on these cases.
In 2019, the UAE also introduced policies to protect people of determination. That year, the UAE government passed the UAE Elderly Rights Law, guaranteeing them freedom from violence, abuse and neglect, as well as the right to a decent environment, housing, education, employment and social benefits.
The report highlights the UAE’s commitment to uphold workers’ rights and recognize their contribution to the country’s development. The UAE has implemented extensive legislative and regulatory reforms and provided numerous services to uphold workers’ rights, including through the promulgation of Federal Law No. 33 of 2021, regulating the employment relationship, which has resulted in structural changes in the UAE labor market.
Laws allow workers to move between jobs, and the UAE guarantees workers health care, maternity leave, sick leave, and partial and full disability insurance. Additionally, an unemployment insurance scheme was introduced to cover private sector workers in the event of unemployment.
With regard to combating human trafficking, the report affirms that the National Council to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) continues to implement a national strategy based on five pillars: prevention, prosecution, punishment, victim protection and promotion of international cooperation.
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