UN expert presses United Arab Emirates to end bigotry against foreigners

An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged the United Arab Emirates to push ahead with creating robust legal institutions and laws to combat racism aimed at foreign migrant populations, who form the majority in the Persian Gulf nation.

Githu Muigai, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, wrapped up a five-day visit to the UAE by welcoming the steps the Government has taken until now to address racism in the country.

However, he voiced a number of concerns over UAE’s policy on granting citizenship, the working and living conditions of construction and domestic workers, the situation of “Bidoons” or stateless persons, the victims of human trafficking, as well as the Emirati public education system which seems to be hampering the integration of foreigners in the society.

“The United Arab Emirates is a unique country, where non-nationals constitute the vast majority of the population and where nationals represent a minority in their own country,” said Mr. Muigai.

“The influx of foreigners which has been supported by the Government to satisfy the demands of a fast-growing economy has contributed to the building of the country in a positive manner,” he said. “Yet it has created tremendous challenges for the Emirati society in terms of national identity, social integration and capacity of absorption.”

The Special Rapporteur encouraged the Government to strengthen efforts to end discrimination on the grounds of national or ethnic origin, which often prevents individuals from receiving equal pay for equal work, as well as equality before the law.

Mr. Muigai reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in an independent and unpaid capacity, as do all Special Rapporteurs.