Crucial launch of UPR shadow report for UAE underscores nation’s commendable progress

A Tuesday event concerning the launch of the UPR shadow report for the UAE submitted for the 43rd session of the Universal Periodic Review involved a number of experts and specialists from across the world, including Nigel Goodrich, CEO of IMPAC, and Dr. Eric Gozian from the International Council for Diplomacy and Dialogue (ICDD).

The UPR is a crucial mechanism that ensures equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed. It provides an opportunity for each UN Member State to declare what steps they have taken to address the human rights concerns of their citizens. Its ultimate aim is to improve the human rights situation in all countries involved.

The launch of the UPR shadow report for the UAE is considered a momentous occasion for advocates of human rights in the country. It provided a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to estimate the progress already made and to identify the areas that require further improvement.

Although the Emirates has made commendable progress in improving the human rights situation in the country – as was highlighted in the shadow report – there are still areas where it needs to improve, such as freedom of expression and treatment of migrant workers.

A special video presented at the event highlighted the Emirates’ growing emphasis on the promotion and protection of human rights. The event which lasted a couple of hours, commencing at 16:00 CET, also brought the significant progress made by the country in relation to equality and social justice under the limelight.

Read on for the major points underscored.

1. The UAE’s judicial system which enjoys complete independence as well as guarantees the right to a fair trial without discrimination was highlighted.

2. In terms of the rights of prisoners and detainees, the country guarantees protection and respect. It was prominently emphasised in the video that these facilities are considered centres for rehabilitation.

3. The Emirates has long been combating human trafficking crimes in all its forms, the video highlighted, adding that the country combats this phenomenon both regionally and globally.

4. The UAE ranks first in the region and 18th globally in the United Nations Index for Gender Equality, with women in the country enjoying all political, civil, social, economic, and cultural rights.

5. The Emirates has successfully transferred efforts to care for children from the stage of ensuring basic rights to the stage of empowerment, the event highlighted, adding children in the country are provided the best health, education, and academic systems.

6. People with disabilities are guaranteed full equality and non-discrimination in the country.

7. The UAE pays special attention to the elderly and guarantees their right to independence, privacy, protection from exposure to violence, abuse, and neglect, as well as the right to a qualified environment.

8. When the right to health is concerned, the gulf nation offers all individuals within its borders health, preventive, and curative services in accordance with the highest accredited organisations.

9. The Emirates strongly believes that complete fulfillment of everyone’s right to education is the way to achieve development targeted by the state, and meticulously moves ahead in this direction.

10. In an effort to guarantee the rights of all expatriate workers, the country has long been expressing prominent keenness towards providing protection, justice, and equality – starting with the recruitment and employment process.

11. The Emirates is considered one of the largest international supporters of clean energy projects, the video highlighted while underscoring the country hosting the upcoming annual COP28 climate conference this November.

12. The special video also brought the much-awaited March 1 opening of the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith compound in Abu Dhabi housing a mosque, church, and synagogue, under the lim

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