UAE's human rights record praised by House of Commons

4/3/2016 8:35:10 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The UAE has the least complaints on human rights in the Middle East and there have been no complaints from construction workers recently according to the visiting British House of Commons delegation.

"This shows the commitment of the UAE to all international standards and a norm as it is taking the right track in its work" the delegation said while on a visit to the headquarters of the Emirates Human Rights Association EHRA in Dubai on Sunday The aim of the visit is to get acquainted with the association's activities and objectives as well as its mechanisms in resolving complaints and also to spread the culture of human rights among the UAE society.

The delegation was received by Mohammed Salem Al Kaabi chairman of the board of directors of EHRA; Khalid Al Hossani secretary-general; Dr. Nasser Al Rais legal advisor; Obaid Al Shamsi member of the board of directors. The House of Commons delegation includes Steven Thames and Flick Drummond.

"EHRA like other associations in the country gets Dh50000 every year as financial aid from the UAE government and the subsidy is the least. The remaining budget is procured from local government departments like the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) which allocates it as part of the community service budget in addition to donations from businessmen. The latest was a Dh1 million last year by a businessman" said Al Kaabi.

"We are a civilian society and a clash with the government has never happened because we know how to deal with situations" he said. Since 2008 all doors have been opened for us and we have visited all the prisons to examine the conditions of the inmates. Any request for visiting any prison is approved within 24 hours he added.

"We also attend all the trials held by state security and we participate in the national strategy for human rights 2017-2012 which the government prepares. A decree to this end is expected to be issued shortly" he added.

On criticism by some human rights organisations against the UAE and the role of EHRA in reply to them Al Kaabi said public opinion cases fall within the priorities of the association. For example in the trial of 94 terror cells the association had followed up on all its 14 hearings and also followed up complaints lodged by parents of the defendants.

Those who were acquitted in the case were also being followed up and steps were taken to ensure they were reinstated he said.

Additionally he said the association will issue reports about the agreements the UAE has signed.

To a question on the association with the Minister of Happiness he confirmed the association is already in touch.

"As a UAE citizen I have experienced the concept of the real happiness in a country that grants rights to whoever lives in its land be he/she an Emirati or expatriate or a visitor" said Al Kaabi

Mustafa Al Zarooni

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