Bahrain has expressed categorical rejection of a resolution passed by the European Parliament criticizing the United Arab Emirates' human rights record. The Bahrain News Agency quoted the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stating that the European Parliament's resolution is based on factually incorrect information. The statement added that the resolution lacks credibility and ignores the UAE's significant achievements with regards to human development, the protection of human rights, upholding the principles of justice and equality and providing decent life for all UAE nationals and residents in compliance with its constitution and national laws. The UAE rejected on Friday as "factually incorrect" the resolution passed by the European Parliament criticizing its human rights record and calling for the release of peaceful political activists. The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that UAE boasts a track record of achievements in ensuring justice, equality and protection of human rights as well as enjoys advanced ranking on global indices, including the Human Development Report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). A statement issued by Saeed Al Hebsi, Director of Human Rights at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said: "Every country has its own laws and legal institutions, the UAE constitution and national legislation enshrines fundamental rights which provide for the fair treatment of all citizens and residents." First, the allegations in the European Parliament's statement were addressed earlier and dismissed as they were based on unsubstantiated claims. Secondly, the statement ignores all the UAE's accomplishments in the field of human rights over the years, the statement said. The UAE laws and legislations provide and protect personal freedoms that are completely in line with the universal codes and conventions. The UAE is a signatory of the 1993 Paris Principles for the National Human Rights Institutions, upon which the country has based its recent presidential decree establishing the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). Early this year, the UAE took the bold step in updating its legal codes, including the Penal Code and Personal Status Laws, to confirm with the universal declarations of human rights. The UAE is also ranked as one of the top countries in the world in gender equality in the region, according to the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Gender Gap report. Women hold two-thirds of public sector jobs in the UAE. -- SG
