The Union Association for Human Rights praised the Law on Regulating Reform and Rehabilitation Centers in Abu Dhabi, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This law completes the transfer of responsibilities and functions of managing correctional and penal facilities, as well as juvenile institutions, from Abu Dhabi Police to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, effective since January. The association emphasized the importance of this law, issued in March 2024, as part of the evolving human rights framework in the UAE and as a reinforcement of its commitment to fulfilling all international obligations that enhance its human rights progress, in line with the principles outlined in international human rights conventions and agreements. It highlighted the significance of this law in furthering the legislative and regulatory framework for human rights in the UAE, ensuring alignment of its policies and practices with international human rights standards and regulations, and reaffirming the humanitarian values and principles upon which the UAE federation was established. The association noted that the law is dedicated to protecting the rights of inmates, in alignment with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the “Mandela Rules”) and international legal standards aimed at protecting individuals deprived of their freedom. The association expressed appreciation for the key provisions of the law, particularly the development of a general policy for reform and rehabilitation centers, the delegation of specific responsibilities to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department as stated in the law, as well as the delineation of inmate rights, including the right to life, health, personal safety, communication with family and lawyers, access to healthcare and education, and the right to practice religious rites. The Union Association for Human Rights highly valued the law’s provisions, which included renaming “penal and correctional institutions” in Abu Dhabi to “reform and rehabilitation centers,” and the training of staff at these centers according to the highest international standards. This training aligns with global best practices for ensuring and respecting human rights for inmates in Abu Dhabi, thus creating a qualified institutional workforce for these responsibilities.