UAE achieves unique human rights milestones: UAHR

The Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR) said on Monday the UAE has achieved significant milestones in human rights, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The achievements are particularly notable in health, education, social protection, cultural, and religious rights, combatting discrimination, and fostering justice.

Ahead of Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, the UAHR highlighted the UAE's steady progress in enacting laws and policies to uphold human rights. These include measures supporting women's empowerment, children's rights, the elderly, and labour rights, all reflecting the rule of law.

The Association highlighted the importance of this year's UN theme, Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now, which underscores building a better future for societies committed to the fundamental principles of human rights and its role in achieving the SDGs promptly.

In the past five years, the UAE has enacted around 55 laws to enhance human rights protections. These include legislation on protection from domestic violence, combatting discrimination and extremism, safeguarding witnesses, juvenile delinquents, children of unknown parentage, and combatting human trafficking.

Other laws include regulating places of worship for non-Muslims, media regulations, labour relations, senior citizens rights, and personal data protection.

Additionally, nearly 40 national strategies and policies have been launched, such as the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031, the adoption of the Women, Peace and Security plan, the UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy, the National Food Security Strategy, and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.

On the international stage, the UAE has earned global recognition for its efforts. It ranked seventh globally, first regionally in the 2024 Gender Inequality Index of the UN Development Programme, and first globally in the Lack of Labour Disputes Index, as per the Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024.

The UAE has also ratified several international treaties, including the Convention against Torture in 2012, and has joined nine core International Labour Organisation conventions, such as the Equal Remuneration Convention.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Meanwhile, The National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) announced the implementation of a series of strategic initiatives as part of its awareness campaign, Know Your Rights.

The initiatives aim to enhance understanding and engagement with human rights principles across various sectors.

A key highlight is the Knowledge Lab, a series of seminars designed to educate NHRI employees on critical human rights topics.

Additionally, the NHRI will collaborate with the Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Global Dialogue (GCHRAGD) to host a joint panel discussion on December 11 as part of the Centre's Human Rights Awareness Week 2024.

Looking ahead to 2025, the NHRI plans to expand its human rights initiatives, including the launch of Manabir, a series of educational human rights episodes on YouTube, Rights Journal, a semi-annual digital publication, and Human Rights Oasis, a recurring forum to engage with civil society.

In addition, existing programmes such as Legislation Lab and Knowledge Lab will continue to serve as important platforms for advancing human rights education and dialogue.