Freedom in the World 2001 - United Arab Emirates

2001 Scores

Status: Not Free
Freedom Rating: 5.5
Civil Liberties: 5
Political Rights: 6

Overview

The United Arab Emirates continued to promote itself as a regional commercial center during 2000, while also working to boost its influence in the Persian Gulf through major arms purchases and regional diplomacy.

The seven emirates that constitute the UAE formed a unified federation after gaining independence from Great Britain in 1971. Under the 1971 provisional constitution, the emirate rulers make up the Federal Supreme Council, the highest legislative and executive body. The council elects a state president and vice president from among its membership, and the president appoints the prime minister and cabinet. A 40-member Federal National Council, composed of delegates appointed by the seven rulers, serves as an advisory body with no legislative authority. While there are separate consultative councils in several emirates, there are no political parties or popular elections.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan has served as president since independence and is considered largely responsible for the country's unification, development, and economic success. The 2000 United Nations Human Development Report placed the UAE among the world's top performers in terms of quality of life as measured by real income, life expectancy, and educational standards.

The UAE boasts a free market economy based on oil and gas production, trade, and services. The economy provides citizens with a high per capita income but is heavily dependent on foreign workers, who constitute some 80 percent of the population. The government has made strides in diversifying the economy. The Dubai Ports Authority has acquired a string of contracts at major port facilities in the Arab peninsula and the Red Sea, making the UAE a leader in regional shipping. The government has also established a number of free zones, offering low living costs, new infrastructure, long land leases, customs and tax exemptions, 100 percent foreign ownership, and repatriation guarantees to investors. One such zone, the Dubai Internet City, opened in November with some 200 e-commerce firms registered to operate.

The UAE has maintained a generally pro-Western foreign policy since the Persian Gulf War and continues to cooperate militarily with the United States, Britain, and France. Iran and the UAE have been locked in a dispute since 1992 over three islands, located near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran controls in defiance of UAE claims to the territory. Improved relations between Iran and several Arab states have fueled anxiety in the UAE about the regional balance of power. In response, the UAE has increased its defense spending; recent purchases include 80 F-16s from the U.S. and an antiaircraft system from Russia. The UAE has also improved relations with neighbors. It reopened its embassy in Iraq in April for the first time since the Gulf War, came to an agreement with Oman over a section of their disputed border, and arranged with Bahrain to allow free movement of citizens. An agreement with Syria aims to establish a customs-free trade zone by 2003.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Citizens of the UAE cannot change their government democratically. There are no elections at any level, political parties are illegal, and the Federal Supreme Council holds all executive and legislative authority. The seven emirate rulers, their extended families, and their allies wield political control in their respective emirates. Citizens may voice concerns to their leaders through open majlises (gatherings) held by the emirate rulers.

The judiciary is not independent; its decisions are subject to review by the political leadership. The judicial system comprises both Sharia (Islamic) and secular courts. There are no jury trials, but due process protections exist in both religious and secular courts. Military courts try only military personnel, and there is no separate state security court system. Sharia allows for corporal punishment for such crimes as adultery, prostitution, and drug or alcohol abuse. Drug trafficking has been a capital offense since 1995, though executions are rarely reported. Police may enter homes without warrants or probable cause, but their actions are subject to review and disciplinary action.

Journalists routinely censor themselves when reporting on government policy, national security, and religion, and refrain from criticizing the ruling families. The print media are largely privately owned but receive government subsidies. Foreign publications are censored. Broadcast media are government-owned and present only government views. Satellite dishes are widely owned and provide foreign broadcasting without censorship. The UAE is the most Internet-connected country in the Arab world, with some 400,000 users by March 2000. In April, the government announced that civil servants must bring public services online within 18 months or risk losing their jobs.

The government limits freedom of assembly and association. Permits are required for organized public gatherings. Political discussion is generally confined to gatherings in private homes which are tolerated by officials. Private associations must be licensed, but enforcement is inconsistent.

Islam is the official religion of the UAE. About 85 percent of citizens are Sunni Muslim, and 15 percent Shiite. About 95 percent of Sunni mosques are government funded or subsidized. Shia are free to worship and to maintain mosques. The government ensures that religious sermons do not deviate frequently or significantly from approved topics. A limited number of Christians are granted legal recognition. Other non-Muslims may practice freely but may not proselytize or distribute religious literature.

Women are well represented in education, government, and the professions, but face discrimination in benefits and promotion. There are numerous NGOs that focus on women's issues such as domestic violence. Islamic law discriminates against women in family matters such as divorce and inheritance, and tradition keeps many women from working. A married woman must have her husband's consent to accept employment or to travel abroad. The first all-female shopping mall opened early in 2000 in Abu Dhabi. Its aim is to provide privacy to women who wish to shop without wearing the abaya, a head-to-toe covering required in the presence of men by strict Islamic dress codes.

Trade unions, strikes, and collective bargaining are illegal in the UAE and do not occur. Foreign nationals make up about 85 to 90 percent of the workforce, and sometimes fall prey to abuse by managers who take most of their earnings and force them to work long hours in extreme heat or under other dangerous conditions. Labor law offers some protection, but most abuse goes unreported.