Arab Parliament rejects EU’s resolution on UAE human rights

CAIRO/Dubai / WAM

The Arab Parliament has expressed its complete rejection of the resolution passed by the European Parliament (EP) criticising the UAE’s human rights record.
In a meeting presided over by its Speaker Adel bin Abdulrahman Al Asoomi, the Arab Parliament stressed that the resolution included factually incorrect information with regards to human rights in the UAE. In its statement, the Arab Parliament stressed that it is not in the European Parliament’s mandate to assess the human rights records in any Arab country, as there is no legal or political jurisdiction that gives it this right.
“The UAE is one of the leading countries with regards to human rights,” the statement said, adding that there are a number of local institutions responsible for human rights issues in the UAE, in line with international standards recognised and adopted by the United Nations and stipulated in the relevant international conventions.”
The Arab Parliament called on the EU Parliament to adopt a constructive approach that finds common ground for positive dialogue with parliaments in the Arab countries.

This is in support of the partnership relations between the two sides and the strategic issues of common interest.
The Arab-European Centre of Human Rights and International Law (AECHRIL) has rejected the resolution passed by the European Parliament criticising the UAE’s human rights record, describing it as unfounded and factually incorrect.
In a statement issued on Monday, AECHRIL stressed that the UAE is among the world’s top countries in respecting human rights, adding that the resolution ignores the UAE’s significant achievements with regard to human rights.
Islam El Ghazouly, Chairman of AECHRIL’s Advisory Board, commented, “The UAE treats human rights as a top priority, building on its heritage and constitution, which protects civil freedoms for all, and its legislative system, which promotes justice, equality, tolerance and the protection of rights and supports humanitarian and relief efforts, in line with the principles stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”