UAE Joins UN Human Rights Council for Third Time in UNHRC

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024. This is the third time the country has secured a seat on this crucial UN organ. The UAE got 180 votes from the countries in the Asia-Pacific group in the recent secret ballot conducted in the UN General Assembly.

This achievement proves that many countries back the UAE’s initiatives in the sphere of human rights. It also emphasizes that the UAE continues to engage with various sections of the UN to address the challenges facing the world.

UAE President grants amnesty to Bangladeshi protesters

Specifically, in early September 2024, the President of the UAE – Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, made an important decision. He released some Bangladeshi people who were detained for protesting in August. These people had been said to be involved in cases of making nuisances of themselves and violating the set laws on safety.

The President’s pardon meant that:

• The Bangladeshi protesters would not have to serve their sentences.
• They would be allowed to go back to their home country

This decision was received as something positive as it proved that the UAE is ready to be tolerant and accept mistakes.

Human Rights Groups Laud Uae’s Move

More than 20 human rights organizations including the Union Association for Human Rights welcomed the decision of the UAE to pardon Bangladeshi protesters. This they said during a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

These organizations said that the UAE’s approach was “humanitarian”. They also averred that the swiftness with which the UAE’s Attorney General executed the pardon was commendable. The groups thought that this decision would contribute to the development of peace and tolerance.

The United Arab Emirates and Human Rights

The UAE government argues that it values human rights and integrating respect for human rights is central to its modus operandi. They attribute this to the principles of the founder of the country Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

By joining the UN Human Rights Council again, the UAE hopes to:

• Intensify cooperation with other states in the sphere of human rights
• Promote free and constructive discussions regarding human rights
• Establish better relations between countries

The UAE also supports the protection of human rights because it is necessary to improve the future of people in the world.

While the UAE has joined the UN Human Rights Council, many will be observing the country’s contribution to the discourse on human rights. The pardon of Bangladeshi protesters and the words of appreciation from human rights organizations indicate that the UAE is striving to show that it is a country that appreciates the concept of clemency in handling human rights issues.