Throughout its history, Ras Al Khaimah has been committed to upholding and promoting human rights and providing equality and social justice to all people living within its borders.
Throughout its history, Ras Al Khaimah has been committed to upholding and promoting human rights and providing equality and social justice to all people living within its borders.
In recent decades, Ras Al Khaimah has seen rapid economic transformation and a ten-fold increase in its population. Such development, seen across the UAE, brought new challenges. In the UAE, all people are equal before the law, irrespective of their race, nationality, religion, or social position. The UAE’s Constitution outlines the freedoms and rights of all citizens. The Constitution prohibits torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, and protects civil liberties.
In recent decades, Ras Al Khaimah has seen rapid economic transformation and a ten-fold increase in its population. Such development, seen across the UAE, brought new challenges. In the UAE, all people are equal before the law, irrespective of their race, nationality, religion, or social position. The UAE’s Constitution outlines the freedoms and rights of all citizens. The Constitution prohibits torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, and protects civil liberties.
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah takes an active approach to ensuring respect for the human rights of all those living within the Emirate. Upholding a transparent and independent judicial system is fundamental to this. The Government of Ras Al Khaimah also works to foster the development of autonomous institutions that protect those living in the Emirate who may be marginalised or vulnerable.
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah takes an active approach to ensuring respect for the human rights of all those living within the Emirate. Upholding a transparent and independent judicial system is fundamental to this. The Government of Ras Al Khaimah also works to foster the development of autonomous institutions that protect those living in the Emirate who may be marginalised or vulnerable.
In recent years, significant progress has been made across the UAE to promote and ensure the rights of workers, women and children; implement domestic legal frameworks; and ratify international human rights conventions.
In recent years, significant progress has been made across the UAE to promote and ensure the rights of workers, women and children; implement domestic legal frameworks; and ratify international human rights conventions.
The Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR), established in 2019, is at the centre of the UAE Government’s ongoing efforts in protecting and promoting human rights. Acting as the national liaison and coordinator between relevant ministries and human rights bodies within the UAE, the PCHR aims to advance the human rights agenda in line with internationally recognised standards.
The Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR), established in 2019, is at the centre of the UAE Government’s ongoing efforts in protecting and promoting human rights. Acting as the national liaison and coordinator between relevant ministries and human rights bodies within the UAE, the PCHR aims to advance the human rights agenda in line with internationally recognised standards.
The PCHR also works closely with global human rights organisations and partner countries to support progress and uphold human dignity.
The PCHR also works closely with global human rights organisations and partner countries to support progress and uphold human dignity.
Established in 2021, the National Human Rights Institution is an independent legal body concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights in the United Arab Emirates as a whole. It enjoys financial and administrative independence from the UAE Government in the exercise of its functions, activities, and competencies.
Established in 2021, the National Human Rights Institution is an independent legal body concerned with the protection and promotion of human rights in the United Arab Emirates as a whole. It enjoys financial and administrative independence from the UAE Government in the exercise of its functions, activities, and competencies.
The UAE is a regional leader in combating human trafficking and was the first country in the Arab region to enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law. Several shelters provide protection, rehabilitation, and assistance to victims, including the Aman Shelter for Woman and Children in Ras Al Khaimah.
The UAE is a regional leader in combating human trafficking and was the first country in the Arab region to enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law. Several shelters provide protection, rehabilitation, and assistance to victims, including the Aman Shelter for Woman and Children in Ras Al Khaimah.
In 2007, the UAE formed the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in support of human rights, which coordinates and implements all anti-trafficking activities across the country. The UAE has made real progress on its four-part anti-trafficking strategy, which has focused on:
In 2007, the UAE formed the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking in support of human rights, which coordinates and implements all anti-trafficking activities across the country. The UAE has made real progress on its four-part anti-trafficking strategy, which has focused on:
- Developing legislation and regulations related to human trafficking
- Guiding the relevant authorities towards implementing preventive and deterrent measures
- Securing protection and support for the victims of these crimes
- Promoting regional and international cooperation to combat human trafficking
- Developing legislation and regulations related to human trafficking
- Guiding the relevant authorities towards implementing preventive and deterrent measures
- Securing protection and support for the victims of these crimes
- Promoting regional and international cooperation to combat human trafficking
- Increasing the number of sex trafficking prosecutions and doubling the number of sex trafficking convictions
- An expansion in the number of shelters for women and children who are victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation; these shelters, such as the Aman Centre for Women and Children in Ras Al Khaimah, provide care for victims of human trafficking in line with international standards
- The creation of a dedicated human trafficking department within police divisions in each Emirate which, in Ras Al Khaimah, sits within the Criminal Investigation Department
- An expanded public education campaign to enhance awareness about the crime of human trafficking
- Training courses and workshops to further raise awareness about the issue and strengthen law enforcement and judicial capacities and capabilities
- A strategy to combat all forms of forced labor through the imposition of heavy fines
- Increasing the number of sex trafficking prosecutions and doubling the number of sex trafficking convictions
- An expansion in the number of shelters for women and children who are victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation; these shelters, such as the Aman Centre for Women and Children in Ras Al Khaimah, provide care for victims of human trafficking in line with international standards
- The creation of a dedicated human trafficking department within police divisions in each Emirate which, in Ras Al Khaimah, sits within the Criminal Investigation Department
- An expanded public education campaign to enhance awareness about the crime of human trafficking
- Training courses and workshops to further raise awareness about the issue and strengthen law enforcement and judicial capacities and capabilities
- A strategy to combat all forms of forced labor through the imposition of heavy fines
In Ras Al Khaimah, men and women are equal partners in the development of the Emirate; gender is no barrier to participation or progress in any area of society.
In Ras Al Khaimah, men and women are equal partners in the development of the Emirate; gender is no barrier to participation or progress in any area of society.
The UAE is ranked seventh globally and first regionally in the UNDP Gender Inequality Index 2024. The UAE is ranked number one in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of women’s justice, inclusion and security according to Georgetown University’s Women Peace and Security Index, and 22nd internationally, ahead of the United States, United Kingdom and France.
The UAE is ranked seventh globally and first regionally in the UNDP Gender Inequality Index 2024. The UAE is ranked number one in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of women’s justice, inclusion and security according to Georgetown University’s Women Peace and Security Index, and 22nd internationally, ahead of the United States, United Kingdom and France.
Women now make up 50% of the Federal National Council, the UAE’s consultative parliamentary body. Women also hold two-thirds of public sector jobs in the UAE, with 30% in leadership roles.
Women now make up 50% of the Federal National Council, the UAE’s consultative parliamentary body. Women also hold two-thirds of public sector jobs in the UAE, with 30% in leadership roles.
Women are major contributors to the UAE’s economy, and the Federal Government continues to implement progressive measures to grow their contribution still further, such as guaranteed equal pay, implemented in 2020.
Women are major contributors to the UAE’s economy, and the Federal Government continues to implement progressive measures to grow their contribution still further, such as guaranteed equal pay, implemented in 2020.
Around 25,000 UAE businesswomen hold 50,000 trade licenses between them. Emirati businesswomen run projects worth AED 60 billion ($16.3 billion). Women in the UAE have a higher level of access to banking (86.7%) than any other country in the region; and equal to that of men nationwide.
Around 25,000 UAE businesswomen hold 50,000 trade licenses between them. Emirati businesswomen run projects worth AED 60 billion ($16.3 billion). Women in the UAE have a higher level of access to banking (86.7%) than any other country in the region; and equal to that of men nationwide.
Across the UAE, more women than men complete secondary school and advance to further education, with 77% enrolling in university and women making up 70% of all university graduates. Women account for 56% of UAE Government university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Across the UAE, more women than men complete secondary school and advance to further education, with 77% enrolling in university and women making up 70% of all university graduates. Women account for 56% of UAE Government university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Women enjoy the same rights in the UAE as many developed countries – the right to vote, drive, and own property.
Women enjoy the same rights in the UAE as many developed countries – the right to vote, drive, and own property.
Many institutions, such as police stations, banks and driving schools offer women-only queues for women to utilise if they prefer to do so. The UAE also has ‘pink taxis’, driven by women for women and families, and in Dubai women using public transport have the option to choose women-only cabins on the metro and trams, to enhance safety and inclusivity.
Many institutions, such as police stations, banks and driving schools offer women-only queues for women to utilise if they prefer to do so. The UAE also has ‘pink taxis’, driven by women for women and families, and in Dubai women using public transport have the option to choose women-only cabins on the metro and trams, to enhance safety and inclusivity.
Understanding the important role international cooperation plays in the protection of human rights, the UAE has taken active measures – as reported in its submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council – to comply with internationally accepted standards. The UAE was named the world’s largest donor of official development assistance in proportion to its gross national income (ODA/GNI ratio) in 2016.
Understanding the important role international cooperation plays in the protection of human rights, the UAE has taken active measures – as reported in its submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council – to comply with internationally accepted standards. The UAE was named the world’s largest donor of official development assistance in proportion to its gross national income (ODA/GNI ratio) in 2016.
The UAE has acceded to various international conventions, including:
The UAE has acceded to various international conventions, including:
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
- The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (whose optional protocol the UAE signed in 2010)
- The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
- The Convention on Transnational Organized Crime
- The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
- The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (whose optional protocol the UAE signed in 2010)
- The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
- The Convention on Transnational Organized Crime
- The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are an essential part of the principles and values ingrained in Emirati society. The UAE continues to promote and protect human rights by ensuring national implementation of human rights commitments and complying with international standards.
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are an essential part of the principles and values ingrained in Emirati society. The UAE continues to promote and protect human rights by ensuring national implementation of human rights commitments and complying with international standards.
The UAE is actively committed to strengthening the rights of workers and has undertaken a series of measures that create more flexibility and freedom in the labor market. These include regulatory measures that protect the rights of workers in case of disputes with employers and provide access to litigation processes, as well as guarantee decent and safe accommodation for workers.
The UAE is actively committed to strengthening the rights of workers and has undertaken a series of measures that create more flexibility and freedom in the labor market. These include regulatory measures that protect the rights of workers in case of disputes with employers and provide access to litigation processes, as well as guarantee decent and safe accommodation for workers.
The UAE has ratified nine major International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions related to the rights of workers, and has adopted numerous laws to protect workers’ rights, including in the areas of recruitment, pay, housing and health. Most recently, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has introduced a series of reforms that focus on transparency and compliance in matters related to labor contracts and terms of termination. In addition to more transparency, these reforms offer workers and employers more flexibility and benefits with their employment options. The new reforms took effect in January 2016.
The UAE has ratified nine major International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions related to the rights of workers, and has adopted numerous laws to protect workers’ rights, including in the areas of recruitment, pay, housing and health. Most recently, the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization has introduced a series of reforms that focus on transparency and compliance in matters related to labor contracts and terms of termination. In addition to more transparency, these reforms offer workers and employers more flexibility and benefits with their employment options. The new reforms took effect in January 2016.
As part of efforts to enhance worker protections in Ras Al Khaimah and boost the Emirate’s social and economic development, in 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone launched the Workers Protection Insurance Programme. The programme aims to improve financial security for employees of RAKEZ-registered companies by offering insurance coverage that includes due and unpaid salaries, end-of-service gratuity, repatriation costs, and coverage for work-related injuries.
As part of efforts to enhance worker protections in Ras Al Khaimah and boost the Emirate’s social and economic development, in 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone launched the Workers Protection Insurance Programme. The programme aims to improve financial security for employees of RAKEZ-registered companies by offering insurance coverage that includes due and unpaid salaries, end-of-service gratuity, repatriation costs, and coverage for work-related injuries.
The UAE hosts several international forums as part of its ongoing commitment to improve working conditions in the country and raise public awareness around labor rights, including the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, an ongoing platform in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The Dialogue brings together ministerial-level leadership from both labor-source and labor-receiving nations and aims to create a regional framework for regulating labor rights and migration.
The UAE hosts several international forums as part of its ongoing commitment to improve working conditions in the country and raise public awareness around labor rights, including the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, an ongoing platform in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The Dialogue brings together ministerial-level leadership from both labor-source and labor-receiving nations and aims to create a regional framework for regulating labor rights and migration.
- Developing and sharing knowledge on labor market trends, skills profiles, workers and remittance policies and flows
- Building capacity for more effective harmonizing of labor supply and demand
- Preventing illegal recruitment and promoting welfare and protection measures for contractual workers
- Developing a structure for a comprehensive approach to managing the entire cycle of temporary contractual work that fosters the common interest of countries of origin and destination
- Strengthening regional frameworks
- Developing and sharing knowledge on labor market trends, skills profiles, workers and remittance policies and flows
- Building capacity for more effective harmonizing of labor supply and demand
- Preventing illegal recruitment and promoting welfare and protection measures for contractual workers
- Developing a structure for a comprehensive approach to managing the entire cycle of temporary contractual work that fosters the common interest of countries of origin and destination
- Strengthening regional frameworks
This is Ras Al Khaimah