An Arab human rights defender has commended the UAE on its efforts to promote equality, citing the recent Federal National Council elections as an example of the country’s push towards gender parity.
''The increase of female representation in the FNC to 50 per cent is clear evidence of the state's resolve and determination to empower women and grant them the same opportunities as their male counterparts,'' said Mohammed Al Dahi, chairman of the Arab Human Rights Commission Charter Committee.
Mr Al Dahi made his comments before the Committee reviewed the UAE's first periodic human rights report on the Arab Charter of Human Rights.
The report was presented by Ahmed Al Jarman, assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation for Human Rights and International Law, at the Arab League headquarters the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Monday.
On Monday, Mr Al Dahi said discussions would be held with the UAE delegation over two days before the committee issued its final recommendations.
He thanked the UAE for presenting its report and praised its continuous co-operation with the Committee. The UAE was among the first Arab countries to endorse the Charter in 2006 and has been an active participant in the Committee's activities over the past 10 years.