The UAE is known for its lifestyle and rapid development, but there have been concerns about human rights violations behind the glittering facade. This report aims to critically analyze the UAE Human Rights Violations, with a particular focus on the torture of prisoners and discrimination against women.
Furthermore, the article sheds light on the injustice being carried out against foreign workers in the region. The research explores the causes of these issues and their impact on the human rights situation in the country. This critical analysis aims to increase awareness of human rights violations in the UAE and initiate a conversation about how to address these issues.
Discrimination
The government refuses to give free healthcare and education to UAE residents who don’t have citizenship and who come from families with roots in East Africa, South Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. These people are called stateless Emiratis. They have to pay for their education and healthcare from private providers. To be allowed to live in the UAE, stateless people need to have someone vouch for them and help them get a temporary residence permit. If they don’t have this permit, they are considered “illegal residents” and cannot work in well-paying government jobs.
Girls And Women Right
In July, the CEDAW Committee made some important observations. They found that the laws in UAE treat women unfairly when it comes to passing on citizenship to their children. Additionally, they found that the government’s reservations to the CEDAW treaty do not align with the treaty’s purpose.
Torture And Other Bad Treatment
In July, the UN Committee against Torture expressed worry about reports of mistreatment and torture of individuals who stand up for human rights or are accused of crimes against their country in the UAE.
One human rights defender, Ahmed Mansoor, was alone in a cell for a year without basic necessities such as glasses, books, a bed, a mattress, and hygiene products. This extended isolation, particularly when combined with degrading and cruel treatment, amounts to torture.
In another instance, authorities prevented Mohamed al-Siddiq from speaking to his family outside the country. Al-Siddiq has been in prison since 2012 for exercising his right to freedom of speech.
Unsuccessful to Tackle Climate Crisis
The UAE increased the amount of oil they produce, even though the United Nations said countries need to start making less oil to follow the Paris Agreement. The UAE agreed to follow this agreement but is not doing it. The UAE causes a lot of pollution compared to other countries.
Arbitrary Detention
Dozens of individuals in the UAE have been arbitrarily detained and continue to be held, even after completing their sentences. Despite the completion of their sentences, the authorities have refused to release at least 41 prisoners, which has brought the total number of detainees, including those from previous years to 48. All 41 individuals were part of the “UAE-94” mass trial between 2012 and 2013.
The government has justified these detentions as “counseling” for those who have been influenced by extremist ideology. This process is authorized under Article 40 of the 2014 counter-terrorism law, which mandates that the Office of Public Prosecution obtain a court order for such detentions. However, this law does not allow the detainee to challenge their continued detention.
LGBTI’s People Right
In September, the authorities instructed schools throughout the UAE to ensure that teachers avoid discussing gender identity, homosexuality, or any behavior that goes against the norms of UAE society while teaching. UAE legislation considers same-sex relationships between consenting adults illegal.
Freedom of Expression, Assembly, And Association
The government in UAE controls what people can say and do, sometimes stopping media or cinema that they think is wrong. People who criticize the government in a peaceful way might go to jail. In January, the government told people not to post online about rocket attacks by the Yemen Houthi militia.
In June, the government banned a US movie because it showed a same-sex kiss and a newspaper fired most of its staff for reporting on how people felt about the cost of energy. In August, the government ordered Netflix to remove same-sex content or be punished.
A new law went into effect in January that decreased some punishments but also made it illegal to share government information without permission. Another new law made it illegal to use the internet to encourage a demonstration without permission, with up to three years in jail as punishment.
