The National Human Rights Committee held its first meeting on July 5 in Abu Dhabi under the chairmanship of Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Dr. Gargash asserted that the UAE's comprehensive national vision has been promoting human rights in the country.

He further affirmed that the Emirates has ensured that the protection of human rights remains its top priority. At the same time, the UAE has been largely applying the Constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality, social justice, and civil and religious freedoms across the nation.

During the first meeting of the National Human Rights Committee, Dr. Gargash reviewed the preventative and precautionary measures initiated by the UAE administration across various sectors in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking over the progress, he thanked the UAE leadership which left no stone unturned in prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the citizens and residents with the help of the pandemic precautionary measures, which also included the implementation of national strategies to tackle the virus in various sectors such as food security, health, and education.

"The UAE also enacted national legislation and regulations that contributed significantly to curbing the virus’ spread," Dr. Gargash said.

He further laid emphasis on the efforts taken by the UAE government to protect human rights in cooperation with the technical recommendations of UN human rights agencies and various specialised international organisations.

"These principles have contributed to strengthening and developing the UAE's efforts in combating the pandemic. The UAE has also shared experiences and best practices in the fight against the pandemic with other countries, believing in the need to intensify cooperation and join the international community in confronting COVID-19," he added.

In his remarks, Gargash highlighted that the UAE has been providing the highest quality treatment and preventative services of international standards to all residents and citizens living in the country without any differentiation. Significantly, the UAE leadership has launched a number of programmes and initiatives to protect and promote human rights, particularly in health and education amid the current crisis. Additionally, several initiatives have been implemented by the authorities in promoting the rights of women, youth, senior citizens, workers, and inmates in penal institutions.

He underlined the efforts taken by the country's leadership in recognizing the risks of the virus on prison inmates ever since its outbreak, further detailing the steps taken to protect them in response against the pandemic. The precautionary measures taken by the authorities include regular sterilization and installation of thermal cameras in prison wards, development of safe quarantine facilities, ensuing social distancing, and continuous supply of medical resources including face masks and hand sanitizers. In addition, authorities have been regularly conducting medical tests and examinations of inmates, staff, guards, and other members of the prions, along with other healthcare facilities for public safety.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) will be reportedly publishing the relevant information related to the UAE's role in promoting and protecting human rights amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

WAM