WUNRN
UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW - http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx
The
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of
the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four
years. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human
Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what
actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their
countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. As one of the main
features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for
every country when their human rights situations are assessed.
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The United
Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states situated in the
southeast of the Arabian Peninsula
in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman
and Saudi Arabia. The seven states, termed emirates, are Abu Dhabi, Ajman,
Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain.
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL UNIVERSAL
PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR)
OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
While several countries also applauded the UAE’s work
so far on the situation of women,
UAE
to Adopt 37 Rights Recommendations
Emily
Meredith
10 December 2008
DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday agreed to adopt
37 human rights recommendations made by the international community.
It, however, rejected
15 recommendations. Seventeen more recommendations will be further reviewed,
according to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, who
headed a 28-member delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council in
Among the
recommendations adopted, the UAE committed to inviting an expert on human
trafficking to visit the country; strengthen its regulations on living
conditions for labourers; take part in a multi-national workshop to exchange
views on education; pass laws codifying rights for children; and pass national
legislation prohibiting publication-related jail time for journalists.
The delegation also said it would consider establishing an independent National Human Rights Institute to receive inputs from the public and oversee the state of human rights in the country. While the UAE did not specifically outline the reasons for its decisions in Tuesday’s report, it is set to do so during the regular session of the Human Rights Council meeting in March, next year.
In his closing statement, Dr Gargash said the UAE greatly values all the comments and appreciates the review process. “This has served as an opportunity for us to take into account the progress we have made and for them to be recognised by the international community, as well as remind us of the shortcomings and challenges that need our attention,” he said.
Last week, the
delegation travelled to
According to the
Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations, I Gusti Agung Wesaka K Puja, a
member of the troika tasked with running the discussion of the UAE’s human
rights record, a large number of representatives wanted to speak, both to
congratulate and offer recommendations to the delegation.
“For the UAE there was an exceptionally long list of speakers and the president cut the list to 55 or 56 members who were given the opportunity to read their statements. Another four or five were not able to read,” he said.
Ambassador Puja presented the final report in a 30-minute session on Tuesday.
The UAE has long said
that it is trying to improve its human rights record while respecting its
cultural traditions.
The most common
recommendations that were not adopted by the delegation concerned the right of
workers to form unions and a ban on the death penalty. The UAE also said it
would not adopt policies to promote tolerance based on sexual orientation or
repeal corporal punishment laws, as
While several
countries also applauded the UAE’s work so far on the situation of women,
Several countries
raised concerns that the UAE is not a member of international treaties such as
the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The delegation said it
would further review membership to those organisations, and Dr Gargash asserted
that the country can still meet the goals without being a member.
“Despite the fact that
the UAE is not party to some relevant treaties, the constitution has provided
several guarantees that reflect the laws and practices of the country,” he
said.
Puja said the
discussions were positive. “Basically the environment is very good and they are
very encouraging. All were addressed in a very diplomatic and polite (manner).”
The recommendations that the delegation accepted will be implemented in four years, after which the UAE will be up for review again. – With inputs from WAM.
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Date of consideration: Thursday 4 December 2008
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