Human rights are not charity the State donates it to their citizens, they are rights for everyone who lives in a country as a citizen, refugee, or whatever they are. Human rights are principles that all countries follow to move forward with building the civilisation that begins with people then architecture, art, literature and does not end at a limit. Building people is the goal of any nation that is led wisely because people are the basis of construction and the reason behind destruction if their abilities are not used right and intelligently, and equal opportunities are not offered to contribute to building their nation. Hope Probe

Facts the UAE Realizes

It seems that a country like the United Arab Emirates is clearly aware of the need to build the human. Perhaps the Hope Probe, which reached Mars about six weeks ago, was clear evidence that the UAE aspires to future, in addition to signing the document on Human Fraternity on February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, together with Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The agreement was born of a fraternal open discussion between Francis and el-Tayeb to be evidence for promoting mutual respect."

The UAE efforts in defending Human Rights did not stop there. On Dec 9, 2019, the State reconfirmed it is committed to working hard for defending and promoting human rights according to human rights international standards. Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Jarman, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Human Rights Affairs confirmed this in a workshop attended by members of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during their visit to the UAE. Al Jarman highlighted the efforts of the UAE to issue relevant laws and plans, especially in countering human trafficking, as well as other laws related to women’s rights, protecting foreign labour, people of determination*, children and senior citizens.**

The National Authority for Human Rights

The UAE efforts in Human Rights culminated in the announcement of Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, about preparing a draft law for the National Authority for Human Rights. "When the draft is completed, it will be presented to the Federal National Council (FNC) for discussion and approval.”

He pointed out then that: “The national plan for human rights, that is being prepared, comes to continue the UAE efforts to promote human rights activities and it is expected to complete the plan by the end of next year." "The UAE National Human Rights Plan will focus on strengthening the legislative system, promoting civil and political rights and it is an action plan for the next years." He noted

Credit for the Efforts

Efforts to level up human rights in the country drove some observers to evaluate them positively. On December 22, 2020, Wedad Buhumaid, Vice president of the Emirates Human Rights Association, confirmed that: "The UAE is showing an exceptional humanitarian experience in protecting human rights." In a speech on Human Rights Day, she said that: "The principles and aspirations of the UAE foreign policy have contributed to promoting human rights principles, and confirmed that respecting and ensuring them is a pillar of our wise leadership approach." Hope Probe

She continued: "Promoting and protecting human rights and ensuring justice, equality and a decent standard of living has become a major priority in this time where many countries are suffering crises and natural disasters. We urgently need to reform global policies starting from unconditional humanitarian dialogue and continuous work to spread the ideology of human rights more deeply. We need also to have international mechanisms to promote tolerance, coexistence and accepting the other which is essential to counter extremism and terrorism."

The Most Important Announcement

On December 14, 2020, the UAE officially announced the establishment of the "National Authority for Human Rights"* to monitor and enact human rights policies. Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made that announcement in a cabinet meeting and said on Twitter: “Today I chaired the last cabinet meeting in 2020. We announced the establishment of a National Authority for Human Rights in the UAE. The Authority will monitor Human Rights, enact policies and coordinate with all relevant authorities in the country."

The Chairman of the Board of the UAE Human Rights Association Muhammad Salem Dhuwain Al-Kaabi confirmed that “The UAE is showing an exceptional humanitarian experience in protecting human rights inspired by its cultural heritage and religious values ​​that promote tolerance, equality and justice. The State makes sure to constantly pass and update laws in accordance with its commitment to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." "Among the international treaties on the protection of human rights that the UAE made sure to sign and commit to are the anti-trafficking law, the child protection law, the law of people with disabilities, the law of Juvenile Delinquency, and other laws and decisions that confirm that UAE is careful to protect human rights.

While the founding president of al-Habtoor Group Khalaf al-Habtoor said that: "What the UAE give for human rights is "way better" than what the Western countries do. "What are human rights? Human rights are the right to housing, children's rights, the right to education, the economic rights, the right to food, freedom of religion and belief, etc," He tweeted "If we compare what the Western countries do for their citizens and what UAE does for its own citizens. We are way better." He added

It seems that the UAE with the efforts of all Emiratis is determined to move forward with human rights despite the criticism from here and there from time to time. Nonetheless, time will show how honest and serious UAE is in aspiring to future represented by the Hope Probe, the document on Human Fraternity and the promotion of human values. Hope Probe

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