UN adopts UAE's human rights report

Geneva - The review identified the progress made over the past four and a half years.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCHR) has adopted the UAE's third report on the human rights situation in the country as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) during the ongoing 38th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The session is being held from June 18 to July 6. The review identified the progress made over the past four and a half years.

Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Deputy Minister for Human Rights and International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), headed the UAE high-level delegation, which included representatives of several federal government agencies.

He reaffirmed the importance that the UAE attached to the UPR and to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

During the third UPR process in January, the UAE received a total of 230 recommendations.

"Out of the 230 recommendations received, the UAE accepted 132, with many of these recommendations already in place," he said.

Regarding the other recommendations, he said, the UAE will implement them in the next four and half years, adding that many of the recommendations need further consideration.

Al Jarman explained that legislation is currently being set up for a national universal periodic review committee on the basis of the internationally-accepted Paris Principles.

In a statement, Al Jarman affirmed the UAE's commitment to enhancing the protection of human rights in the country. "The government is working diligently to improve its human rights record and adopting best practices in the field."

He said that the UPR was characterised by positive, constructive dialogue that analysed the human rights record of the UAE, and that the review identified the progress made over the past four and a half years.

Commenting on the UAE's efforts towards the UPR process, Al Jarman said: "The UAE had repeatedly highlighted the importance of the UPR mechanism. The government has extended invitations to several special rapporteurs and was pursuing efforts to combat human trafficking with the establishment of a national committee on the issue."

He added that efforts were also underway to strengthen the rights of migrant workers including legislation to provide migrant workers decent work conditions and protect their fundamental rights.

He added that "steady strides" were being made to strengthen women's rights and empowerment, "with a number of women holding key government positions."

"A multi-sector strategy was in place to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. A permanent commission was in place to coordinate the implementation of accepted recommendations," he added.

Al Jarman reaffirmed that the UAE Government remained "fully committed" to the Universal Periodic Review process. - Wam

• Abu Dhabi