UAE human rights association calls on world to adopt tolerance law

ABU DHABI // The Emirates Association for Human Rights is calling on regional countries and the world to adopt a law similar to the UAE’s rejecting intolerance, hatred, terrorism and violence.

The call comes as the nations’ leaders sent messages to mark Wednesday’s Unesco International Day for Tolerance.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the country’s tolerance was a source of great pride.

“Our pride stems from the fact that we are a country where everyone thrives equally regardless of their differences, with true love and acceptance.

“It is a country where people live and work harmoniously, raising their children to enjoy a future free of the fear of extremism, intolerance or discrimination based on their race, colour, religion, sect or ethnicity.”

The association will send 4,000 letters to NGOs and Arab parliaments urging them to use the Tolerance Law as a template for their legislation. It also wants a UN convention on tolerance.

“There is no doubt that the absence of a culture of tolerance in our contemporary world has led to woes and catastrophes due to various conflicts,” said its chairman, Mohammad Alkaabi.

These conflicts “have cost millions of lives while creating and reinforcing hatred, discrimination, alienation, exclusion, marginalisation, as well as poverty”, Mr Alkaabi said.

“The Arab region has witnessed the growth and reproduction of fundamentalist movements and extremists, based on religious fanaticism and suppression of contrary opinions and ideologies,” he said.

“Another factor dominating the region is the spread of killings, terrorism, destruction and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of families, which includes abusing women.”

The association is calling on civil institutions and organisations in the Arab region and the world “to take a steady role in the promotion and consolidation of tolerance to actively combat extremism, racism and hate speech”.

It has also announced that “2017 Year of Tolerance” will be its slogan.

“The UAE has taken ambitious, bold steps to criminilise hate speech and defamation of religions, racism, incitement to hatred, while accepting everyone’s right to exercise their beliefs and rituals,” said Mr Alkaabi.

It has succeeded in creating a “harmonious, peaceful community through effective coexistence of more than 200 nationalities”, he said.

Priority should be given to educating young people about tolerance to protect them against radicalisation, Mr Alkaabi said.