The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement under Item 9 – General Debate during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. The statement underscored the importance of strengthening international efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, highlighted ongoing challenges, and emphasized the need for states to review national legislation and practices in line with UN principles. It also praised the UAE’s legislative and institutional role in combating discrimination and racism while promoting values of tolerance and human fraternity.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, Chairperson of the Union Association for Human Rights, delivered an oral statement during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council under Item 5 – General Debate. The statement addressed the importance of developing national bodies and mechanisms tasked with upholding justice and the rule of law to ensure fair trials and guarantee defendants’ rights. It also highlighted a concerning global decline in rule-of-law indicators, while commending the UAE’s consistent progress in this area at both the regional and international levels.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement before the Human Rights Council during its 57th session under Item 8 (General Debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action). The statement underscored the need to intensify efforts to protect women’s rights, with a particular call to recognize economic violence against women as a serious violation and to activate international mechanisms to address it. It also praised the UAE’s experience in issuing the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023–2031 as a leading regional model.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement under Item 5 during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. The statement emphasized the importance of strengthening mechanisms that guarantee states’ compliance with the right to education, ensuring it is enjoyed universally, equally, and without discrimination. It also highlighted the UAE’s efforts to support education both locally and internationally through impactful initiatives and significant financial contributions, as well as its support for education in crisis-affected areas.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement during the General Debate under Item 9 at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. The statement emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing equality before justice without discrimination, highlighting the dangers of discriminatory and racist practices, particularly those linked to law enforcement agencies and criminal justice systems. It also praised the UAE’s efforts in promoting justice, the rule of law, and combating all forms of institutional and societal discrimination.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement under Item 8 during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, focusing on the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The statement expressed deep concern over structural discrimination, violence, and grave violations endured by women in developing countries, particularly in Africa. It called for accelerated legislative and developmental reforms to protect women and promote equality and empowerment. It also praised the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative to Empower Africa's Rural Women in Agricultural Sector, describing it as an inspiring model for sustainable development and on-the-ground empowerment.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 4 (General Debate), the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement emphasizing the importance of ending armed conflicts globally, upholding international humanitarian law, and protecting civilians, particularly women and children. The statement praised the UAE and other peace-loving nations for their contributions to global security, including humanitarian initiatives to mitigate the effects of armed conflicts on affected populations.
At the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 4 – General Debate, the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan due to ongoing armed conflict for more than a year and a half. The statement welcomed the Council’s decision to establish a fact-finding mission and called for an immediate end to hostilities and the launch of a peaceful political process. It also praised the UAE’s active humanitarian and diplomatic role, including substantial financial aid and peacebuilding efforts.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 4 (Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention), the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement calling for a comprehensive end to the war in Ukraine, respect for international humanitarian law, and an end to the resulting humanitarian suffering. The statement also praised the UAE’s efforts in humanitarian mediation and its role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between the conflicting parties—an example of balanced diplomacy aimed at reducing the human cost of conflict.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council and under Agenda Item 2 (General Debate), the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement emphasizing the need for stronger international efforts to combat climate change. The statement called for the implementation of the historic UAE Climate Agreement adopted at COP28, describing it as a transformative step in climate justice and global environmental work. The statement emphasized that the implementation of this agreement aligns with the aspirations of the High Commissioner and United Nations bodies to achieve climate justice and protect human rights amid rapidly accelerating environmental changes.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under agenda item 3 (general debate), Israa Al Amiri, a member of the Board of Directors of the Union Association for Human Rights and an Emirati citizen with visual impairment, delivered an oral statement emphasizing the necessity of guaranteeing the right to education for all without discrimination, with particular attention to persons with disabilities. She reviewed the pioneering efforts of the United Arab Emirates in promoting inclusive education and stressed the importance of benefiting from the UAE’s experience, which represents a global model for empowering persons with disabilities educationally through inclusive strategies and innovative international partnerships.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement under Item 9 at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. The statement addressed violations linked to racism and racial discrimination committed in the context of non-international armed conflicts, particularly those led by irregular armed groups. It emphasized the urgent need to strengthen civilian protection in these conflicts and activate relevant international mechanisms, while commending the UAE’s efforts in promoting peace and tolerance, as well as its initiatives aimed at ending conflicts and fostering humanitarian values.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 5 (General Debate), the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement emphasizing the need to enhance the effectiveness of international human rights bodies—especially during armed conflicts. The statement highlighted the major challenges these mechanisms face due to non-compliance by some states, while commending the UAE’s role in supporting international humanitarian law, facilitating aid, and advancing peace and reconciliation efforts.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 5 (General Debate), the Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement addressing the urgent need to enhance and adapt national and international human rights mechanisms to meet the challenges of the digital age and AI developments. The statement emphasized the importance of aligning rights protection systems with technological changes and praised the UAE’s experience as a model for institutional development using advanced technologies.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, and under Item 3: General Debate, Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi delivered an oral statement focusing on the promotion of the right to a fair trial and the rule of law as fundamental pillars of the human rights framework. The statement commended the Council's efforts in supporting these principles and highlighted the UAE’s commitment to ensuring justice and protecting defendants’ rights by aligning its judicial system with international standards. It also referenced the humanitarian decision by the UAE President to pardon a number of Bangladeshi nationals and its prompt execution.
The Union Association for Human Rights delivered an oral statement during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council under Item 8 (General Debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action). The statement called for strengthening mechanisms that ensure states’ compliance with their international obligations to uphold the rule of law. It emphasized the need to align national justice systems with internationally recognized standards and commended the United Arab Emirates as a leading regional model in developing judicial institutions, promoting fair trial guarantees, and ensuring legal accountability.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 9 at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. The statement highlighted the importance of reinforcing international efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, praised the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and emphasized the need to reform discriminatory institutional policies and practices. It also shed light on the UAE’s experience in promoting equality and tolerance, including the President’s general amnesty decision as a measure that fosters justice and coexistence.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, as part of the interactive dialogue on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the work of UN bodies and their recommendations on human rights and emerging digital technologies, particularly AI. In her statement, she stressed the need for legal and regulatory frameworks to keep pace with rapid digital developments, and for AI to be harnessed to serve human dignity and promote digital justice and transparency, noting the pioneering experience of the UAE in this field.
Mr. Salam Abukarnib, Member of the Board of Directors of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, as part of the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions. The statement addressed deaths in detention as a neglected global human rights issue and emphasized the need to reform correctional institutions and guarantee the rights of detainees to life and care. It also highlighted the UAE’s experience in modernizing its correctional system and securing high international accreditation for its facilities.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue under Agenda Item 3, commenting on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. In her statement, she addressed the importance of protecting the independence of the judiciary and strengthening justice guarantees, while praising the UAE’s experience in maintaining the independence of the judiciary and its high-ranking positions globally in rule of law indicators.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue under Agenda Item 3, addressing global efforts to promote the right to health. She praised the work of the Special Rapporteur on the right to health and called for closer UN and national coordination to ensure fair and effective responses to health crises and pandemics, while highlighting the UAE’s leading role in this field.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 8, which focuses on following up and evaluating the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. In her statement, she emphasized the importance of reviewing this declaration in light of modern technological changes, particularly the challenges posed by AI, and called for a comprehensive review that anticipates the future and protects the fundamental rights of future generations. She praised the UAE’s experience as a human-centered model in this regard.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 9, which focuses on combating racial discrimination and promoting equality. The statement highlighted the importance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action two decades after its adoption, emphasizing the need to strengthen international practices in combating racism. It also praised the role of the UAE, particularly the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in consolidating the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 5, which focuses on strengthening international cooperation in the field of human rights. In her statement, she emphasized the importance of supporting and advancing human rights bodies and mechanisms, and underlined the need for international cooperation to enhance responsiveness to future challenges, particularly those associated with digital and environmental transformations. She also commended the UAE’s experience in developing advanced legislation to protect digital and environmental rights, calling for using it as a reference guide globally.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered a statement before the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 4 on situations requiring the Council’s special attention. In her statement, she emphasized that terrorism is no longer a conventional security threat, but an existential challenge to global human security with grave repercussions for fundamental human rights.
Counselor Maryam Al-Ahmadi, Vice Chairperson - Union Association for Human Rights, delivered a statement before the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 4, titled “Commending the efforts of the UAE in civil and political rights and all rights.”
Counselor Maryam Al-Ahmadi, Vice Chairperson, Union Association for Human Rights, delivered an oral statement before the Human Rights Council at its 55th session under Agenda Item 3. In her statement, she emphasized the importance of strengthening international solidarity to protect the climate and highlighted the close interconnectedness between environmental protection and achieving climate justice on the one hand, and ensuring fundamental human rights on the other.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, President of the Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR), delivered an official statement before the UN Human Rights Council during its 55th session, under Agenda Item 3 on promoting the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
