FNC discuss including expats in rewards for brave non-war operations

ABU DHABI // Laws regarding medals and financial rewards for brave acts by military or diplomatic heroes were discussed at the Federal National Council on Tuesday.

The council passed an amendment to an existing law on medals and a new one to award diplomats for their efforts in strengthening the UAE’s relations with other countries.

A Dh10,000 financial reward for bravery now falls under an amended 2009 law for military medals and decorations. It is awarded to one who “does a brave act in the battlefield or during his service in non-fighting circumstances for the safety of the homeland, equipment and lives, as long as this act reflects the spirit of sacrifice, bravery or heroism”, the new article says.

The military missions medal has a higher reward of Dh15,000, granted to one who participates in military missions outside the country, while a lesser award of Dh5,000 can be given to one who participates in the operations room.

However, the stipulation that a recipient must have served a minimum of three months in the mission prompted discussion. FNC member Saeed Al Rumaithi (Abu Dhabi) asked why the minimum serving time was required, arguing that if a soldier went to Yemen and was injured in the first week, he would not be recognised.

“The first batch [of soldiers] that went to Yemen – have any one of them finished more than three months there?” Mr Al Rumaithi asked.

Maj Gen Salem Al Jaberi answered: “I do not want to talk about these details, please.”

FNC member Salem Al Shehi (Ras Al Khaimah) said that while it took three months for the Armed Forces to recognise a person’s participation in a mission, other clauses in the law recognised and rewarded everyone’s contributions.

Mr Al Rumaithi asked why the military missions medal came with a reward higher than that of the bravery certificate.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, explained that the bravery decoration was very important and should be highly valued because the country has seen brave acts by its citizens for a long time, “since Afghanistan and today in Yemen”.

Another clause of the amended law grants the foreign missions medal to foreigners who participate in non-war operations and are not members of the Armed Forces, for efforts made on behalf of the UAE.

When Mr Al Rumaithi asked why foreigners were involved in the equation, Maj Gen Al Jaberi said that there were foreigners such as doctors, drivers and mechanics who served in missions and deserve medals.