Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI2075
2004-06-23 12:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE 'S STANDVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST

Tags:  PGOV KWMN TC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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Diana T Fritz 02/06/2007 05:34:10 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLASSIFIED

SIPDIS
TELEGRAM June 23, 2004


To: No Action Addressee 

Action: Unknown 

From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 2075 - ROUTINE) 

TAGS: PGOV 

Captions: None 

Subject: UAE 'S STANDVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN 

Ref: None 
_________________________________________________________________
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 02075

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: CDA 
 INFO: PAO ECON POL 
Laser1:
 INFO: PAO 

DISSEMINATION: CDA
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: CDA:RALLBRIGHT
DRAFTED: POL:RBASSIL
CLEARED: POL:JFMAYBURY

VZCZCADI568
RR RUEHC RUCNDT RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #2075 1751251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231251Z JUN 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4835
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1195
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002075 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN TC
SUBJECT: UAE 'S STANDVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002075

SIPDIS

STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN TC
SUBJECT: UAE 'S STANDVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN



1. THE LATEST EDITION (JUNE 15) OF THE UAE WOMEN'S
WEEKLY MAGAZINE "ALMARA'A ALYOUM" INTERVIEWS UAE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' DIRECTOR FOR LEGAL
AFFAIRS, AHMAD AL-JARMAN, ON THE ISSUE OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT
THE UAEG WILL SIGN THETHE JUNE 15 EDITION OF THE UAE
WEEKLY WOMEN'S MAGAZINE "ALMARA'A ALYOUM" REPORTS ON A
UAE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL'S VIEWS ABOUT THE CONVENTION ON
THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN (CEDAW),ADOPTED IN 1979 BY THE UN GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.

AHMAD AL-JARMEN, THE UAE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS, IS AMONG SEVERAL ARAB
OFFICIALS INTERVIEWED FOR THE ARTICLE. AL- JARMEN SAID
THAT THE UAE IS CONFRONTED WITH A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES
WITH REGARD TO SIGNING CEDAW. HE SAID THAT WOMEN
ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT RAISE THE SUBJECT AND DO NOT WISH
MFA TO DISCUSS IT EXCEPT WITH HIGHER AUTHORITIES DUE TO
THE ISSUE'S SENSITIVITY. HE ADDED THAT THE UN
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN THE UAE WOULD NOT TALK ABOUT
CEDAW UNTIL AFTER IT IS SIGNED2. .


2. THE UAE HAS DELAYED SIGNING THE CEDAW, AL-JAERMAN
SAID, BECAUSE, LIKE OTHER ARAB ISLAMIC COUNTRIES, THE
UAE HAS RESERVATIONS ABOUT CERTAIN CLAUSES IN CEDAW,
SUCH AS EQUALITY BETWEEN THE TWO GENDERS IN INHERITANCE
MATTERS, CHILD ADOPTION (WHICH IS PROHIBITED BY
SHARI'A),AND TRANSMISSIONTTING OF CITIZENSHIP FROM A
WOMAEN TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN, WHICH CONTRADICTS
NATURALIZATION LAWS IN MANY COUNTRIES. AL- JARMAEN
ADDED THAT ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE NECESSARY WITHIN THE
SOCIAL SECURITY, FAMILY LAWS, AND ISLAMIC SHARI'A
REGULATIONS, IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE AGREEMENT.


3. ASKED WHETHER THE U.S. SIGNED CEDAW, AL-JERMAN SAID
THAT THE U.S. HAD SIGNED BUT NOT RATIFIED IT, SO IT IS
STILL NOT BINDING. HE SAID THAT THE UAE CONSIDERS
CEDAW VERY IMPORTANT AND FUNDAMENTAL TO FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS. HE ADDED THAT THE UAE IS WITNESSING A MAJOR
DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROLE OF WOMEN, AND NOTED THAT THE
UAE, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UAE GENERAL WOMEN'S
UNION, IS THE FOUNDER OF THE ARAB WOMAN ORGANIZATION IN
EGYPT., THROUGH THE UAE GENERAL WOMEN'S UNION.


4. AL- JARMAEN SAID THAT CEDAW "THIS AGREEMENT "IS ONE
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HUMAN RIGHTS TOOLS, AND THE UAE
COMPLETELY SUPPORTS IT. THERE IS A STRONG CALL FROM
OUR SIDE TO INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC,
ADMINISTRATIVE, AND POLITICAL LIFE, AND THESE FACTORS
CONTRIBUTE TO THE NECESSITY OF US BEING MEMBERS OF THIS
AGREEMENT."


5. AL-JARMAN SAID THAT THE UAE FACES A NUMBER OF
OBSTACLES AS IT CONSIDERS WHETHER TO SIGN CEDAW. HE
SAID THAT WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS HAVE NOT YET RAISED THE
SUBJECT WITH MFA, PREFERRING TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH
HIGHER AUTHORITIES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE'S SENSITIVITY.
ALBRIGHT