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UAE shines in spotlight from shadow report on human rights

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Kuumar Kavita Shyam

Leading voices from various fields and representing some well-known organisations around the world have expressed appreciation for efforts from the UAE on matters concerning aspects of human rights.

The comments came on the occasion of the launch of the shadow report on human rights in the UAE, in preparation for reviewing the official report that the UAE will submit to the UN Human Rights Council in May.
Media and human rights experts from around the world got an audience with some prominent global names through a webinar on Zoom where each cited studies or real-life examples of how the UAE has led the discussion or took charge of activities to make the world a better place.

It was worth noting, heard the forum of special invitees including Headline.ae, that the UAE has now been a member of the UNHRC for three terms, most recently being the current spell from 2022-2024 as it also continues to co-operate with international organisations and parties.

On September 15, 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the Abraham Accords at the White House, US, in the presence of president Donald Trump. AP

The panelists spoke on topics such as religious tolerance, peace, education, gender equality, domestic crime rates, terrorism, money laundering, individual freedom, etc, and how the UAE held up on such parameters.

Recent projects such as the initiation of Abraham Accords or proactiveness in getting assistance to the earthquake-affected Turkiye and Syria also came up for special highlights in championing the case for the UAE.

The shadow report is the report prepared by non-governmental bodies in response to the official report submitted by each member state of the Council periodically, with a frequency of once every four years, to the UNHRC.

Before presenting the official report, in which each country talks about its human rights record, the official authorities wishing to do so present their report on the development of the human rights situation, in what is known as the shadow report. It is a parallel report of the official report from the relevant countries.

More than 13 Arab, European and international human rights organisations and 17 experts from around the world participated in the preparation of this report.

Ayman Nasri, Head of the Arab-European Forum for Dialogue and Human Rights, an entity with an advisory capacity at the UN, shared the majoritarian view that the UAE’s track record in human rights has been praised by various quarters in the international community.

Eric Gozlan, Co-Director of International Council for Diplomacy and Dialogue, spoke about how the UAE showed courage to start the Abraham Accords dialogues with Israel, have let a synagogue to open – incidentally, media got a tour of the site at Saadiyat Island barely hours after he spoke – and visits by the Pope and Grand Imam as examples towards co-existence that impressed him.

The UAE example proves that there is no tolerance without peace, and there is no peace without tolerance, Gozlan added.

Dr Manal Masalmi, a human rights expert, discussed the UAE’s efforts to empower women, highlighting how successfully the country has integrated women into society and how it has developed a cutting-edge plan to strengthen the role of the family and its empowerment.

The president of the Bahraini Jurists Association, Dr Abdul-Jabbar Al-Tayeb, stated that the subject of human rights is connected to a variety of topics, including climate change and digitalisation, previously regarded to be unrelated to human rights.

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Need a domestic worker? The UAE just made getting a visa way easier

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Employers in the UAE can now handle all domestic worker visa services through a single unified digital platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple government agencies for routine procedures.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has centralised visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and mandatory medical tests on the Work in UAE portal (workinuae.ae), representing a major simplification of domestic worker regulations.

What the platform offers

The digital portal consolidates services previously scattered across different government entities, allowing employers to manage the complete visa lifecycle from one location:

Visa services:

  • New visa applications for domestic workers
  • Visa renewals and extensions
  • Visa cancellations and transfers
  • Status tracking and updates

Medical requirements:

  • Required medical test bookings
  • Health screening coordination
  • Medical certificate processing
  • Test result retrieval

Administrative functions:

  • Document submission and verification
  • Fee payments
  • Application status monitoring
  • Digital record management

The multi-agency challenge solved

Previously, employers navigated a complex system requiring interactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Department of Health and various typing centres and service providers

Each agency maintained separate systems, requiring multiple visits, redundant documentation, and lengthy processing times.

The new platform integrates these services through backend collaboration among all participating entities, presenting employers with a single interface.

The domestic worker visa platform is part of MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative, which aims to streamline labour services across the UAE’s employment ecosystem.

Why domestic worker regulations matter

Domestic workers represent a significant segment of the UAE’s labour market, with hundreds of thousands employed across the country in roles including housekeepers, nannies, cooks, drivers, and caregivers.

Simplifying the administrative framework for this sector serves multiple objectives:

For employers: Reduced time spent on bureaucratic processes, clearer procedures, lower administrative costs, and faster processing times.

For workers: Greater transparency in employment status, improved documentation of legal rights, clearer pathways for status changes, and reduced dependency on intermediaries.

For the system: Better compliance tracking, reduced fraud opportunities, improved data collection, and more efficient resource allocation.

How employers benefit

The centralised platform eliminates common pain points in domestic worker visa management:

Time savings: No need to visit multiple agencies or government offices for different steps in the visa process.

Simplified procedures: Single login provides access to all required services rather than maintaining accounts across multiple platforms.

Reduced costs: Elimination of typing centre fees and reduced transportation costs from multiple agency visits.

Faster processing: Backend integration among agencies speeds approval workflows and reduces waiting periods.

24/7 access: Digital platform allows employers to initiate and track processes at any time rather than being constrained by office hours.

Document storage: Digital records eliminate paper documentation and provide easy retrieval of historical information.

Implementation and access

Employers can access the platform immediately through workinuae.ae using their existing UAE Pass credentials or by creating new accounts.

The platform provides step-by-step guidance for each process, with support available through MoHRE’s customer service channels for employers requiring assistance.

All new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations for domestic workers should now be processed through the unified platform rather than through legacy channels.

What hasn’t changed

While the platform simplifies administration, core requirements for domestic worker employment remain in effect:

  • Employer eligibility criteria
  • Worker qualification standards
  • Mandatory medical examinations
  • Contract registration requirements
  • Minimum wage and benefit obligations
  • Insurance requirements

The platform streamlines how these requirements are met but doesn’t alter the fundamental regulatory framework.

Looking ahead

The successful consolidation of domestic worker visa services may serve as a model for further service integration across other employment categories and government functions.

MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative is expected to expand with additional features and service categories as the digital infrastructure matures and user feedback is incorporated.

Platform Details:

Website: workinuae.ae
Access: UAE Pass or platform registration
Services: Visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and medical tests
Availability: 24/7 online access

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UAE : Why 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi land has been designated as nature reserves

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In a bold move for conservation, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has decreed that 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s land must now be protected as nature reserves. The directive will create new conservation zones and expand existing ones, reinforcing the UAE’s environmental leadership.

What will change
The expansion will add 4,581 square kilometres to Abu Dhabi’s protected areas under the Zayed Protected Areas Network, which already includes several terrestrial and marine reserves. New designated zones include Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir, Ghaf Natural Reserve, and expansions to Qasr Al Sarab and Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.

Why it matters
This is more than just land allocation; it’s about protecting biodiversity, preserving ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations. Officials say it aligns with the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and global goals, such as the “30 by 30” initiative.

Continuing momentum from Conservation Congress
The announcement follows the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, where global conservation goals were set and leadership reaffirmed. IUCN World Conservation Congress. The expanded reserves will be managed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), which views this as a means to strengthen its role in regional environmental governance.

What’s next
Expect to see new programmes in wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and collaborative projects with international partners. Early signs of bilateral environmental MoUs, such as with Japan for bird conservation, are already being put in motion.

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UAE introduces ‘Eye’: An AI system to approve work permits with minimal human input

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The UAE is taking another big leap into the future. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has unveiled an AI system called “Eye”, designed to issue work permits almost automatically. The announcement was made during GITEX Global 2025, in line with the country’s push toward digitising government services.

How it works
‘Eye’ uses artificial intelligence to verify key documents, personal photos, passports, and academic credentials, reducing human intervention to only exceptional cases. The aim is to speed up approvals, reduce errors, and cut bureaucratic red tape.

Why it matters
For employers and applicants, this means faster hiring cycles and less waiting. The move strengthens the UAE’s reputation as a digital-forward government and could make the labour market even more competitive and attractive. 

Voices from inside
Rashid Hassan Al Saadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Services at MoHRE, called ‘Eye’ a key step in enhancing the ministry’s services, aligning them with national directives and raising public expectations of government efficiency. 

This rollout accompanies other digital initiatives from MoHRE, including Work Bundle, Ask Data, and Smart Safety Tracker, all aimed at streamlining labour and permit procedures nationwide. 

What to watch next
Will ‘Eye’ really eliminate bottlenecks? Will companies see cost savings? And how will appeal or exception cases be handled? These are the questions many will be watching as the system is rolled out across the UAE.

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