Inside the FNC: Time for more open meetings

One of the FNC committee meetings The National had access to brought forth Afra Al Basti’s (Dubai) deep understanding of the issue of domestic violence. Reem Mohammed / The National

Opening FNC committee meetings to the public will be of benefit to all. Although several members are supportive of the move, the change will happen only if the by-laws are amended, Ola Salem reports

ABU DHABI // Although FNC sessions are public, most of its committee hearings are held behind closed doors.

But last week The National was invited to a meeting between committee members and ministry officials. It revealed how firm and hard-hitting members can be, even when out of the public eye.

When members of the council’s human-rights committee met Ministry of Social Affairs officials on Tuesday, discussion became so heated that FNC members raised their voices.

They seemed incredulous that the ministry was denying that domestic violence existed in the UAE.

Ministry officials argued that there were no registered cases of domestic violence and FNC members wondered how the ministry could possibly turn a blind eye to such an issue.

It is rare for the media to get this kind of insight but it revealed the need for more open committee meetings.

Members have constantly said that these meetings are their “back bench”, or their “kitchens”, where the real work begins, but no one else has seen this.

The only public evidence are photos from the meetings, and many show thin attendance.

This specific committee meeting also proved how useful it was to have Afra Al Basti (Dubai) as a member of the committee.

Not only is Ms Al Basti one of only seven female members in the council, but she is also the head of the highly respected Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, soon to become an officially recognised non-government organisation by the UN.

In the meeting it was clear that Ms Al Basti was aware how important the issue of domestic violence was – something other members might have missed.

She was not only the voice of women and victims silenced for cultural reasons, but the voice of an educated professional with years of experience in a humanitarian NGO.

Similarly, Dr Mona Al Bahar (Dubai), a former senior official at the foundation, has used her experience to the council’s advantage.

Some members of the other eight committees have said they have no problem with media attending their closed meetings, but the council’s by-laws do not allow it.

The current system of relying on committee chairmen or rapporteurs to disclose information is not a reliable means of finding out what the FNC is up to outside its chambers.

It is understandable that committee meetings were closed when the council first met in 2011.

But now that members have had enough time to mature as council representatives, access should be granted to it as in other consultative bodies.