UAE Concludes National Training Programme To Develop Human Rights Experts Across Government Institutions

The UAE has wrapped up a nine-month human rights training programme, developed by the Permanent Committee for Human Rights in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the OHCHR's Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa. This initiative, launched in December 2024, aimed to cultivate a group of experts across various government bodies.

Participants included 45 representatives from 11 ministries and entities such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, and the General Women’s Union. They engaged in technical workshops and case studies focusing on international human rights frameworks and national legislation.

This programme is part of broader efforts to embed rights-based practices within public service and governance in the UAE. Colonel Dr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Hamoudi from the Ministry of Interior highlighted that this graduation signifies a significant step towards promoting human dignity and raising awareness about human rights.

Colonel Dr. Al Hamoudi stated, "At the Ministry of Interior, we view security and human dignity as inseparable. This programme represents a practical translation of our leadership’s vision to place rights at the centre of national development." He emphasised that graduates are now equipped to enhance community protection and instil a culture conscious of rights across institutions.

Mazen Shaqoura from OHCHR praised the graduates' dedication to advancing human rights through official channels. "This programme is a successful example of sustained technical cooperation. We look forward to further partnerships to support national capacity-building in the UAE," he said.

Future Partnerships and Capacity Building

The ceremony underscored the UAE's commitment to integrating human rights into public policy. Graduates are now prepared to contribute significantly to national reporting, policymaking, and fulfilling international convention obligations.

Hind Al Owais, Director of the Permanent Committee for Human Rights, remarked on the moral obligation and developmental importance of promoting human rights. "This programme goes beyond skills development—it lays the groundwork for institutionalising rights-based practices across sectors," she said.

Institutional Excellence Through Education

The Permanent Committee for Human Rights confirmed that this cohort marks just the beginning phase in a broader strategy aimed at building institutional excellence through education, collaboration, and policy alignment. This initiative aims to strengthen human rights mechanisms across various sectors.

The training has not only enhanced participants' capabilities but also positioned them as ambassadors for human rights within their respective institutions. The UAE continues its mission to integrate these principles into its national development agenda.

With inputs from WAM