Justice for People in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the best legal systems in the world. It has stringent laws against crimes, ensuring the protection of individuals across all the emirates. However, expats have also found the UAE a land of opportunities for them. The region has welcomed expats from all over the world, introducing vibrant colors in the Emirates. Nevertheless, the UAE’s economy has boomed with increased tourism and innovative financial sector strategies. Besides the commercial environment, the UAE upholds a global position in human rights, having zero tolerance for violence.
Human Rights in the UAE
The UAE’s legal system is based on Sharia and civil laws, demonstrating acceptance for non-Muslim expats. The UAE laws have significantly impacted trade and family matters. People from all walks of life can feel safe with the UAE rules and regulations, whether related to employment or alimony. To better understand the UAE judicial system, non-Muslims can apply civil laws in their cases, whereas Muslims have to follow Sharia principles in all legal matters. You can visit any Dubai Law Firm to have an advanced understanding on Human Rights in UAE. Because lawyers at Dubai Law Firms are famous for working in human rights and laws in the country.
International Laws in the UAE
International agreements and constitutional laws govern the international laws. Let’s take a look at those laws and agreements:
Constitution and Laws
The UAE’s constitution ensures equality, freedom of religion, and access to standard education and healthcare, ensuring justice and security for the UAE residents.
International Agreements
The UAE aims to implement international business practices and family laws to encourage more expats to settle in the Emirates. The UAE has several human rights protection agreements, including CEDAW, CRC, and ICERD. These laws work for women, children, and racial discrimination. Other agreements that the UAE has to establish on the international level ensure safety standards for UAE residents.
Developments in the UAE’s Human Rights
In the UAE, human rights are ensured at all times. However, sometimes, there are advancements in human rights for the right reasons:
- Women’s Rights in the UAE
Considering the UAE, a global hub, women are empowered in various fields. According to the Federal National Council (FNC) report, half of the council represents female participation. Nevertheless, the UAE Gender Balance Council (GDC) highlights the importance of gender equality at work, meaning both genders will be paid equally per their professional capacity for the same roles.
- Changes in the Labour Laws
It has been witnessed that the UAE’s labour force comprises the execs-nature; a few labour reforms were introduced and uplifted restrictions for the expats. The Kafala system has been abolished, allowing employees to find new jobs in the UAE even if they have resigned from their previous workplace. Seeing the climate changes in the UAE, labourers working outdoors are given midday breaks in summer, ensuring optimum productivity. Nonetheless, workplace safety is ensured in the UAE.
- Good Standards of Healthcare and Education
The UAE has worked hard to maintain a curriculum that ensures international education standards. However, it has also introduced digital systems in healthcare, ensuring the efficiency and safety of UAE residents.
- Embracing Religious Diversity
There are no restrictions on expats. The UAE promotes religious acceptance from all walks of life. It currently hosts 200 nationalities, ensuring human rights for everyone in the UAE.
Challenges in UAE Human Rights
The UAE is trying to work better for human rights, ensuring safety for individuals. However, there are some challenges to face in the country:
- Freedom of Speech and Expression
The UAE ensures social cohesion, yet censorship and cybercrime laws restrict freedom of expression. The government and media houses must strictly oversee the content shared with the larger audience, ensuring zero criticism of the government or the royal family. Any offensive content shared on the internet is viewed under cybercrime laws, restricting freedom of expression.
- Treating Social Activists in the UAE
Human rights activists in the UAE were detained or deported to their home country. However, they are now allowed to advocate for rights and individuals in controlled parameters, ensuring peace and harmony in the region. However, strict penalties are implemented if they are engaged in unofficial protests or creating political chaos.
- Women’s Rights in the UAE
Women’s rights are based on Sharia law in the UAE. Despite favoring women in their relationships, child custody is often given to the father. Also, women have to compromise in the inheritance cases because they are not given an equal share as per the Sharia law. There have been laws to prevent domestic abuse, but those laws do not offer too much security to the women under the civil laws. Lawyer with civil law understanding is known as Civil lawyers.
- Rights of Children in the UAE
The child laws are governed under the WADEEMA Law, ensuring a safe and secure environment for children in the UAE. However, children born to expats in the UAE are still struggling with their citizenship and public services. Attorney who s at home in such subjects is known as family lawyer.
- Protecting the Rights of the Migrant Workers
Migrant workers are the major contributor to the UAE’s economic growth. Individuals from all over the world come with different experiences and expertise, elevating the UAE economy internationally. Despite having strong labour laws, migrant workers still face challenges at work. Depending on the nature of their work, they have to suffer throughout summers with extreme temperatures. However, women working as domestic workers in those houses have a limited working environment. Often, they are abused and cannot address those issues on a greater level for justice.
The UAE government is trying to resolve all these problems by making employment contracts mandatory for every job. The contract will specify the working hours, wage, and rest days, ensuring the worker’s safety.
- Religions in the UAE
The expats are allowed to practice their religion. However, the UAE criminal laws do not tolerate forceful conversions or disrespect to any religion. The blasphemy laws are applied if anyone disrespects the religion of Muslims, i.e., Islam.
- Data Protection in the UAE
The UAE has developed surveillance systems that ensure individuals’ online privacy and data protection. However, technology has also boosted surveillance of individuals’ political views, restricting people from exercising freedom of expression.
Government Reforms in the UAE
The UAE government is trying its best to work well with the human rights in the region:
- Creating National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI)
An NHRI was established in 2021 to promote harmony and justice for individuals in the UAE. The institution is responsible for providing recommendations aligned with national policies, investigating individual complaints, and ensuring justice for the complainant.
- Labour Reforms
The new labour laws in the UAE ensure flexibility in employment, which means expats can work temporarily and part-time temporarily and part-time. This is good for them.
- Anti-Discrimination Law
The UAE government has zero tolerance for violence. Discrimination over race, religion, or ethnicity is considered a violation of human rights. Therefore, anti-discrimination laws foster inclusivity and acceptance of other religions in the UAE.
How Can the UAE Become Better with Human Rights?
The UAE is constantly changing laws to ensure good relations among different nationalities. There are several ways in which the UAE can do better for its people and expats. For example, bringing flexibility to employment laws could be a good start because most expats come to the UAE for better job opportunities. Nonetheless, every expat should feel safe practicing their religion in the UAE, ensuring freedom of expression is there and not restricted.
Lawyers in the UAE
Court proceedings should be transparent for UAE nationals and expats. Nowadays, legal consultation for civil cases is done through negotiation and mediation for quick resolution. Unlike court cases, the complainant gets quick decisions on their cases. Both parties are given an open space to talk and agree to mutual points on the case. This helps them make an amicable settlement, fostering good relationships in the future.
Qualities a Good Lawyer Possesses
Individuals decide on legal consultation themselves. Based on their comfort, a legal consultant is found in the UAE. Before you begin your search for a legal consultant, it is important to know your case type. If you are not clear on that, it would be difficult for you to find the exact lawyer that your case would need:
- Education and Expertise
Determining the qualifications lawyer’s qualifications and expertise ensures your case’s success.
Not every lawyer is highly certified. Some have experience only with local people, while others have experience managing international clientele.
- Communication Skills
Choose someone with excellent communication skills and vast experience in dealing with cases similar to yours. You can ensure their communication skills by talking to them in person or on call. Their body language lets you know their confidence in winning your case.
Do Referrals Work in the UAE?
Referrals could be helpful if you are trying legal services for the first time in the UAE.
Anyone in your social circle who has tried legal services before can give you a referral.
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Always look for a cost-effective legal solution for your case. It could be mediation rather than court proceedings. Negotiation can save time and money, as well as your relationship with the other party, especially when dealing with civil disputes.
