On Thursday, The UAE government officially began the consultative cycle for its National Human Rights Action Plan, recognizing International Human Rights Day. 

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, headed the discussions alongside different members from the council including Secretary-General of the Federal National Council, Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman Al-Nuaimi, including several civil society organizations, and other important bodies. 

The Plan is going to be set up as per France's human rights principles, the complete, incorporated plan will be prepared before the end of 2021. "The consultative process is anticipated to take around seven months and will be prepared by the third quarter of the year 2021," Gargash added. 

The plan will also serve as a road map to handle basic human rights identified with families, ladies, health, employment, prosecution matters, labor, worker rights, and many more, he added. 

During his speech, Gargash explained that regardless of the unprecedented conditions brought about by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, the UAE has continued progressing in saving their economy, promoting the endeavors of the UAE Government in battling the pandemic with health and safety measures.

The National Human Rights Committee is aiming to address alternate ideas with different social sectors when choosing the final national plan to precisely reflect the nation's vision, he added. 

"In earlier years, we have made extraordinary accomplishments in finding solutions to workers' issues. We likewise figured out how to battle human trafficking and we have provided a yearly report build on transparency.

Though this doesn't mean there are no cases found, Gargash added. However, he affirmed that the UAE has implemented critical steps to reinforce and create an institutional human rights system.