UAE VIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002095

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN TC
SUBJECT: UAE VIEW 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 THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF
ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW),
ADOPTED IN 1979 BY THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.


2. THE UAE HAS DELAYED SIGNING THE CEDAW, AL-JARMAN
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 TRANSMISSION OF CITIZENSHIP FROM A WOMAN
TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN, WHICH CONTRADICTS
NATURALIZATION LAWS IN MANY COUNTRIES. AL-JARMAN 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. HE SAID THAT THE UAE CONSIDERS CEDAW IMPORTANT AND
FUNDAMENTAL TO 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.


4. AL-JARMAN SAID THAT CEDAW "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