International Organisations hail establishment of ‘National Human Rights Institution’ in UAE : December 23rd, 2021

International organisations have hailed the establishment of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in the UAE as an independent entity in line with the Paris Principles to promote and ensure the protection of human rights in accordance with international best practices.

The heads of these organisations have issued separate statements where they commended the formation of the NHRI and the appointment of its Board of Trustees from qualified Emirati cadres enjoying long experience in the field.

Advisor Issa Rashid Al Arabi, President of the Arab Federation for Human Rights (AFHR), said that the NHRI’s establishment in the UAE is a major stride, noting that it reflects the keenness of the UAE’s wise leadership to ensure that human rights are respected, and its firm belief in the importance of promoting human values.

Lawyer Ala Chalabi, the Chairman of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, an entity with an advisory capacity at the United Nations, has commended the formation of the Institution, stressing that it will contribute to safeguarding human rights in the UAE and the entire Arabian Gulf region.

Dr Amjad Shamout, the former head of the Standing Arab Human Rights Committee at the Arab League, who is also the Chairman of Al-Jisr Al-Arabi Human Rights Centre in Jordan, said the establishment of NHRI is a qualitative addition to the efforts made in the human rights field in the Emirates that reflects the UAE leadership’s strong will to prioritise human rights and ensure all those living in the country enjoy the same rights without any discrimination.

Ayman Nasri, the Head of the Arab- European Forum for Dialogue and Human Rights, another entity with an advisory capacity at the UN, said the formation of the NHRI is a step forward toward reinforcing cooperation between local and international human rights agencies and organisations that will significantly contribute to establishing human rights organisations capable of communicating efficiently with the international community.

Khalid Al Ajami, Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Human Rights Society, noted that the establishment of NHRI is a step in the right direction toward reinforcing the human rights-related initiatives taken by the UAE in line with the determination of their leadership to promote human rights in continuation of the efforts pioneered by the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

For his part, Mohamed Fazie’, the former Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the Arab League, congratulated the UAE on forming the NHRI, which he described as a culmination of the diligent efforts being made by the UAE for long years to protect human dignity and empower the human capital being the mainstay of sustainable development.

Dr. Abduljabbar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Bahrain Jurists Society, another entity with an advisory status at the UN, said that the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure 50 percent of the NHRI members are women in line with the Paris Principles reflects the pioneering role played by women in the UAE.

It’s worth mentioning that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan has issued federal law No. 12 of 2021 pertaining to the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).

source/content: wam.ae

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)