Dubai: The public can access general outlines of the UAE's Periodic Report on Human Rights in 2008 online.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MSFNCA), headed the fourth meeting of the committee mandated to prepare the report.
Data collection
The meeting highlighted the importance of data collection to complete the report, which is to be presented to the Human Rights Council, Geneva, in December.
The website link for the public is on the MSFNCA website (www.mfnca.ae).
Members of the public can express their views and make suggestions there, an initiative that reflects the committee's commitment to accuracy and transparency in preparing the report.
At the meeting, inputs from all national parties engaged in monitoring human rights in the UAE were discussed.
The report's methodology takes into account the uniqueness of UAE society and culture, its federal structure and constitutional institutions.
The report also outlines the rights protected by the constitution, laws, international agreements and protocols.
Dr Gargash said: "The periodic report evaluates the human rights policies and practices in the UAE. The report is a historical documentation of the UAE's achievements in human rights, which demonstrates the development process in the UAE."
With the report, the UAE highlights its contribution to international efforts in promoting and enhancing human rights across the globe.
In this process, the achievements of various countries are assessed and the challenges identified. The report also strengthens networking and best practices in the field of human rights among nations, he said.
Education
The report monitors the application of human rights principles across several areas such as education, health and housing.
It also discusses the social and developmental support offered by NGOs and civil society organisations which cover issues such as women's empowerment, human trafficking, children rights and others.
The next phase will feature more involvement from these organisations.
In addition to representatives of governmental bodies, the UAE committee includes civil society organisation representatives who also participated in drafting the preliminary report.