Speech

43rd Universal Periodic Review:Statement on United Arab Emirates

The UK's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at United Arab Emirates' UPR at the Human Rights Council.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Simon Manley CMG
• Published: 9 May 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

• Location: Geneva
• Delivered on: 9 May 2023 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Let me welcome the Minister and her team to Geneva and commend her country’s work to advance the rights of women, including their political and economic participation. We also recognise the UAE’s efforts to foster tolerance and build interfaith understanding, as well as their role in regional stability.

We recommend that the UAE:

1. Implement existing laws to ensure detainees are informed of all charges against them and of their rights to a translator and legal representation; to inform someone known to the detainees of their whereabouts; and to investigate immediately and impartially if a complaint about the detainees’ treatment is made.

2. Guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, in line with international human rights law.

3. Ensure the political independence of its National Humans Rights Institute and its full compliance with the Paris Principles.

Thank you.

Published 9 May 2023