The Federal National Council on Tuesday approved a law establishing the National Commission for Human Rights in the UAE.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to President Sheikh Khalifa, called it an "important step towards strengthening the human rights file in the country and a building block on the road to celebrating the 50 years" since the UAE was founded.
The FNC session was presided over by Speaker Saqr Ghobash and Minister of State, Khalifa Al Marar who said establishing the Commission will strengthen the UAE’s efforts towards fighting discrimination and its commitment to international human rights treaties.
“There is no doubt that establishing such an authority will strengthen the culture of tolerance and coexistence, and the country’s efforts towards protecting human rights,” Mr Al Marar said.
Passing the draft law that establishes the Commission at the FNC on Tuesday, “marks the efforts that have been spent since 2008… and today we have achieved this accomplishment; an independent authority for human rights”.
UN member states have been advised to establish such authorities in accordance with the Paris Principles for the promotion and protection of human rights, he said, and each country was free to implement that as it sees fit.
“The country has received 41 recommendations from UN member states to establish a National Commission for Human Rights based on the Paris Principles.
“The Ministry [of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation] has worked on accommodating all recommendations and including them in a national plan set by the cabinet,” Mr Al Marar said.
In December, the National Human Rights Committee launched the first stage of its consultative process to prepare the National Human Rights Action Plan, led by Dr Gargash.
“The committee, which includes a number of local human rights organisations, has been studying the experiences of other countries who established similar authorities, in order to learn from their experiences,” said Mr Al Marar.
The 1993 Paris Principles, adopted by the UN General Assembly, encourages countries to establish national human rights institutions based on an internationally recognised set of standards for credibility, independence and effectiveness.
Speaking at the Council meeting on Tuesday night, FNC deputy speaker Hamad Al Rahoomi, said the draft law “comes at a crucial time when many [parties] are abusing the human rights law, and are using it against other states, including our country”.
“So the UAE and the FNC will benefit from this [draft law], especially in international events.”
Central%20Bank's%20push%20for%20a%20robust%20financial%20infrastructure
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECBDC%20real-value%20pilot%20held%20with%20three%20partner%20institutions%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20buy%20now%2C%20pay%20later%20regulations%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20for%20the%202023%20launch%20of%20the%20domestic%20card%20initiative%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPhase%20one%20of%20the%20Financial%20Infrastructure%20Transformation%20(FiT)%20completed%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
