ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, December 11th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) celebrated International Human Rights Day under the slogan ‘Human Rights 365’. The Human Rights Department at the Ministry organized a seminar for the occasion, which falls on December 10 each year, with countrywide participants from the Police General Headquarters in the auditorium at the ministry’s headquarters.

The ceremony was attended by Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior; director generals; heads of departments; Mohammed Salim Al Ka’bi, Chairman of the Emirates Human Rights Association (EHRA); Advisor Hassan Mohamed Al Hammadi, Head of the Financial Unit of the Public Prosecution Office (PPO) at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department; Iman Khamis Al Raisi, Head of the Local Coordination Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Hatem Ali, Regional Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); alongside a large number of officers, non-commissioned officers, constables and female staff members.

Lt. General Al Sha’far and the attendees watched a documentary highlighting the UAE’s journey of enhancing security and safety, maintaining national gains, and protecting human rights.

In his speech during this occasion, Colonel Mohammed Al Shehhi, Deputy Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, stressed that this celebration is part of the considerable efforts of the MoI to support and safeguard human rights, and to spread the culture of human rights amongst the staff members of the MoI.

He said: “Since the inception of the UAE, the country has endeavored to promote the respect for and observance of human rights, as guaranteed in the Constitution and relevant domestic legislation. A key external objective involves joining international conventions that embody those rights, therefore we have become one of the countries to sign the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1974 and accede to its provisions. The convention, through its various international and regional forums, calls to eradicate racial discrimination, and the right to live for all, without distinction as to race, sex, or color. The UAE continues to adopt this approach, thanks to the continued support of the higher leadership.”

“Every year, December 10 marks the International Human Rights Day and commemorates the date upon which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and proclaimed the principles as the shared ideal for all peoples and nations,” Colonel Al Shehhi continued. “Countries have joined hands to establish this declaration worldwide, working together to continue along the quest for advancing human living standards and ensuring that the rights, freedoms, and equality of individuals are both respected and protected from any transgressions.”

Adding further, he said: “On this occasion, written in history with letters of gold, we recall the words of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (May Allah have mercy on his soul) who said that ‘mankind is the most valuable asset a nation owns’. Sheikh Zayed strongly demonstrated his support for all laws and conventions concerning human rights through his wisdom and upright initiatives to preserve the most valuable asset of the nation.”

“The UAE is one of the countries that has worked determinedly in order to guarantee human rights and to provide all means of well-being and advancement for the betterment of the peoples. Mankind is one of the most important pillars of progress and development. We can build numerous buildings, facilities, and extend bridges – yet without the spirit and inspiration of the human, the country will never be capable of reaching its potential, nor be able to maintain its developments and gains,” the Deputy Director of the Human Rights Department said.

In the conclusion of his speech, Colonel Al Shehhi expressed his hope for the seminar, that it would “garner more knowledge in the field of human rights.” He also thanked the organizers and participants, wishing them continued success.

The seminar chaired by Colonel Al Shehhi featured three work papers. The first paper was submitted by the Advisor Hassan Mohamed Al Hammadi, Head of the Financial Unit of the Public Prosecution Office (PPO) at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, which highlighted the development and impact of human rights. The second work paper, submitted by Iman Khamis Al Raisi, Head of the Local Coordination Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the achievements of the country regarding human rights. The third work paper was submitted by Major Abdurrahman Jassim Al Dhaheri, Director of the International Relations Branch at the International Coordination Section of the Human Rights Department, and highlighted the efforts of the MoI in the field of human rights.

At the conclusion of the event, the floor was opened for discussion and the lecturers answered the questions and queries of the attendees; followed by Colonel Al Shehhi, honoring the participants in the seminar.

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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