UAE has one of strongest human rights records in region

The UAE is committed to pursuing its efforts to enhance human rights, in keeping with its own cultural identity and special characteristics, and in cooperation with international human rights bodies. It has made significant progress in this field over the last few years. In November 2012, the UAE won membership of the UN Human Rights Council for a three-year term, starting from early 2013. The UAE was elected in a secret ballot, conducted by the UN General Assembly, in which 21 candidate countries from 18 geographical groups competed for 18 vacant seats. The UAE got 184 votes, the highest vote turnout of the total garnered by the four winning Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Japan, South Korea and Pakistan) and the second highest amount of votes of the 18 winners. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, said the win "crowned a series of achievements made by the UAE in its human rights record over the recent years, particularly in areas of legislation to uphold and protect fundamental freedoms and legal rights of individuals, rights of women and children and advanced regulations on the rights of the foreign workforce." In another achievement, Dr Abdul Rahim Al Awadi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs, was elected in December 2011, as Chairman of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights for the period 2013-2015. The UAE’s commitment to protect and promote human rights is manifested in its leadership’s approach and vision. Inaugurating the second ordinary session of the 15th Legislative Chapter of the Federal National Council on 6th November 2012, the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underlined the fact that the UAE constitution protects rights and freedoms. "This makes the UAE a paradise for citizens and expatriates. All live in peace in a tolerant community that is free from segregation and injustice," he said. "We are going forward firmly to bring our political experience to its desired ends so as to achieve development and expand participation. We are also looking forward to the pivotal role of the FNC, as a supportive and control authority to further strengthen the government with its visions and innovative ideas," Khalifa added. The UAE has acceded to various international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (whose optional protocol was signed in 2010), the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on Trans-national Organised Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Mindful of the significance of its human rights record, the UAE has continued to modernise its laws and legislations. These include: Anti-Trafficking Law, Child Protection Law, Rights of People with Special Needs Law, Juveniles Law, Social Security Law, Labour Law and others. The Emirates Human Rights Association (EHRA) was established in March 2006 as the first non-governmental human rights organisation in the country, with the aim of promoting the principles of human rights in accordance with applicable laws and the UAE constitution. The EHRA plays its role in an effective and transparent way to achieve objectives and implement strategies. It enjoys the support of the political leadership and cooperates with a number of regional and international organisations, including the Human Rights Council and the Arab Organisation for Human Rights. In a follow-up of the case of the secret organisation seeking to seize power in the country, EHRA's delegates have paid two visits to the detainees involved in it, including one with a delegation of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights. During a press conference held on 23 October 2012, Abdul Ghafar Hussein, Chairman of the EHRA, said, "The delegates from the Association who went to visit the detainees found their rooms to be good, with air conditioning, a good bed, and very good food was available which comes from five-star hotels. They also have access to health services 24 hours a day." Answering questions about reports from some international human rights organisations, Hussein referred to the visit of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights (AOHR) delegation to the UAE and their meeting with the detainees. ''The door is open to whoever comes from any human rights group to enquire about the said detainees or others,'' he said. Hussein said claims made by Human Rights Watch were unfounded and they had "their own political agenda". He noted that the detainees had expressed their appreciation for the gift of about Dh 50,000 they had received from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al