Top rights ranking makes UAE proud

Amanda Fisher / 19 October 2013

The UAE has been ranked top in the region for its human rights record — and ahead of the United States — in what has been described here as a “credible” result. 

Norwegian-based non-governmental organisation The Gobal Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) announced on Thursday it had created a real-time International Human Rights Rank Indicator, in which it continually ranks 216 countries on 21 human rights measures — with the country debuting at position 14. The rights measured include the right to life, freedom from discrimination, freedom of religion and rights of foreigners.

What factors are taken into account?- Right to life  - Right to liberty and security - Right to adequate standard of living - Right to liberty of movement - Right to freedom from discrimination - Right to take part in the government of his country - Right to name and nationality - Right to protection of honour and reputation - Freedom of religion - Right to education - Right to health - Right to marry - Right not to be deprived of property arbitrarily - Right to freedom from arbitrary interference - Freedom from torture - Right to due process - Rights of the accused - Right to acceptable conditions of work - Right to freedom of expression - Right to freedom of assembly - Rights of foreigners

The UAE was ranked streets ahead of the next best Middle Eastern/North African performers, with Tunisia and Morocco in 71st and 72nd position respectively. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Syria was languished in position 211, though ahead of war-torn Congo which was ranked the lowest, while heavyweight America came only 20th. Norway topped the list, ahead of Sweden and Australia.
Emirates University political science professor Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said it was good to see the country ranking high internationally in more than just socio-economic indicators. “This is the first time the UAE has measured high in the political, the human rights and the freedom indicators. I think the country is extremely elated and happy that it is ranked prominently.”
In a statement on its website, the GNRD called the indicator “the most trustful and complete”, saying it reflected live data. “We introduced...a real, bias-free international human rights rank indicator that is unique in its implementation.”
The statement also said the organisation acted in cooperation with various international organisations, NGOs and governments to glean accurate information. “More than 2,000 individuals all over the world are collecting and entering information constantly,” it said.
The indicator is shown on its own website, with provision for users to report violations. Notifications are screened when new reports come in.
The GNRD said the launch of the indicator was the first phase of its project, with intentions to erect large-screen displays at international airports and public squares around the world broadcasting the indicator results.
“Human rights need careful attention and (a) neutral attitude. The brighter and wider the violations of human rights are presented, the better measures are taken on the way to stop them,” said the NGO, which was established in 2008.
Emirates professor Dr Abdulla said he had not seen the details of the methodology, but hoped this list was “more objective and more reflective of the realities of the UAE”.
“I think this report has probably made a lot of people happy here in light of all the other reports we have been hearing that we are not doing so good in political rights and liberty...the UAE is not an oppressive country, it is a very open and tolerant country.”
The UAE was “probably the most tolerant country in the neighbourhood”, but could be a victim of location as organisations that compiled previous rankings may have expected intolerance.
“If (GNRD) really did their homework then it is more credible maybe than others who always probably look for signs of problems...it is true that the UAE and the other Gulf states belong to a region which has the worst record when it comes to human righs and freedom...perhaps just because of the location we are tainted and grouped with all the extreme violators of human rights.”
Other international humanitarian organisations had “time and again” ranked the country poorly which had been unfair, Dr Abdulla said. This may be because of other factors — such as individual liberties and economic freedom — had not been duly considered.
While the UAE had work to do on democratic matters, Dr Abdulla hoped the UAE would continue to improve in the rights sphere.
“I, for one, dream the UAE will be ranked as number one in human rights, instead of 14. And hopefully we will get to that.”

The indicator can be viewed at www.ihrri.com. -amanda@khaleejtimes.com