NHRI approves regulations for work of BoT, elects Dep. Chairperson

In addition, the procedures of nomination, voting and election have been implemented to select the Deputy Chairperson and the Committee Chairs, in line with what was agreed upon during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees, he said.

The announcement was made during the second press briefing that the NHRI held at the headquarters of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in Abu Dhabi, to showcase the outcomes of the second meeting of the NHRI Board of Trustees for its first term (2022-2026), in line with the 100-Day Plan for the NHRI’s institutional and organisational workings and the mandates of its six committees, which will serve as the pillars of the NHRI’s work in 2022.

Present at the second press briefing were a number of officials and representatives of local and international media outlets.

Maqsoud Kruse announced that Fatima Al Kaabi had been elected as Deputy Chairperson of the NHRI. As for the chairs of the permanent committees, Mohammed Al Hammadi was elected as Chairperson of the Civil and Political Rights Committee; Ameera Rashid Al Suraidi as Chairperson of the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights Committee; Mariam Al Ahmadi as Chairperson of the International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee; Fatima Al Badwawi as Chairperson of the Complaints, Monitoring and Field Visits Committee; Dr. Ahmed Al Mansoori as Chairperson of the Committee for the Promotion of Human Rights Culture; and Dr. Zayed Al Shamsi as Chairperson of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee.

Kruse also announced the names of the elected chairs of the temporary committees, which will work throughout the 100-Day Plan period, provided that their status are reviewed after the 100-day period has elapsed. The elected chairs are as follows: Dr. Ahmed Al Mansoori as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee, and Mohammed Al Hammadi as Chairperson of the Strategic Communications Committee.

The chairs of the committees have been tasked with developing plans and setting projections related to the work of these committees, which will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for review and approval during the third meeting of the Board of Trustees, to be held on Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022.

Kruse also revealed that work is well under way towards developing the NHRI official website and the official social media accounts, in preparation for the launch campaign, the date of which will be announced in due time.

"The first building block has been laid, and there is still much work to be done. We are fully aware of the importance of dealing with human rights issues seriously, thoroughly, and responsibly, to ensure optimal implementation of human rights practices across all fields, and to meet the aspirations thereof," said the NHRI Chairperson.

Responding to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) about the possibility cooperating with international organisations to issue a report on the Houthi militia's human rights violations against the UAE and neighbouring countries, Kruse reiterated the NHRI’s condemnation of any attempts to target civilians and civil facilities, as they constitute a flagrant violation of the most basic human rights and international laws and charters. He explained that the NHRI is closely monitoring the situation, in cooperation with all concerned authorities, and offered condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of a speedy recovery to the injured.

Regarding the NHRI’s monitoring, field work and promotion of the human rights protection culture, Kruse said that, with the election of the committee chairs, the Complaints, Monitoring and Field Visits Committee will work to fulfill its mandate by developing an agenda and programmes to activate field visits, taking into account the NHRI’s priorities and areas of focus.

Responding to media enquiries, the NHRI Chairperson said that the UAE has worked tirelessly to establish a set of protected rights, by issuing laws and regulations in all areas, highlighting its ongoing efforts to develop plans, programmes and initiatives to enhance the UAE’s human rights track record.

On the NHRI’s plans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in the UAE, Kruse said that the Complaints, Monitoring and Field Visits Committee is also tasked with developing mechanisms and procedures to streamline complaint submission, review and processing, and coordinating with the concerned authorities, to deliver recommendations and practical measures. The committee will set the standards and procedures for dealing with complaints until they are fully resolved, he further explained.

The National Human Rights Institution is established as an independent entity that has its own legal personality and enjoys financial and administrative autonomy, in line with the Paris Principles. Its work methodology is built on objective and impartial legal and human rights approaches and professional procedures that take into consideration both international human rights standards and local specificities.