UAE Achieves Significant Human Rights Milestones Aligned With Sustainable Development Goals

The Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR) has recognised the UAE's notable progress in human rights, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These advancements are evident in areas like health, education, social protection, cultural and religious rights, anti-discrimination efforts, and justice promotion.

On Human Rights Day, celebrated every 10th December, UAHR emphasised the UAE's consistent efforts to implement laws and policies supporting human rights. These initiatives include empowering women, protecting children's rights, supporting the elderly, and upholding labour rights within the framework of the rule of law.

In recent years, approximately 55 laws have been introduced in the UAE to bolster human rights protections. These encompass legislation against domestic violence, discrimination and extremism prevention, witness protection, juvenile delinquent care, safeguarding children of unknown parentage, and combatting human trafficking.

Additional legal measures regulate worship places for non-Muslims, media operations, labour relations, senior citizens' rights, and personal data protection. Such comprehensive legal frameworks demonstrate a commitment to enhancing societal well-being.

Around 40 national strategies and policies have been launched to further these goals. Notable among them are the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031 and the Women, Peace and Security plan. The UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy also plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality.

The National Food Security Strategy and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence highlight a forward-thinking approach to national development. These initiatives reflect a commitment to sustainable progress across various sectors.

International Recognition

Globally, the UAE has received accolades for its human rights efforts. It ranked seventh worldwide and first regionally in the UN Development Programme's 2024 Gender Inequality Index. Additionally, it secured first place globally in the Lack of Labour Disputes Index by the Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024.

The UAE's international commitments include ratifying several treaties such as the Convention against Torture in 2012. It has also joined nine core International Labour Organisation conventions like the Equal Remuneration Convention.

This year's UN theme "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now" highlights building societies committed to fundamental human rights principles. The UAE's achievements underscore its dedication to realising these goals promptly while contributing significantly to global human rights standards.

With inputs from WAM