UAE’S LAWS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
According to the United Arab Emirates Constitution, discrimination of any form violates the very principles outlined in the Constitution. The following articles clearly outline the rights of individuals to live discrimination free:
Article 14
Equality, social justice, ensuring safety and security and equality of opportunity for all citizens shall be the pillars of the Society . Co-operation and mutual mercy shall be a firm bond between them.
Article 16
Society shall be responsible for protecting childhood and motherhood and shall protect minors and others unable to look after themselves for any reason, such as illness or incapacity or old age or forced unemployment. It shall be responsible for assisting them and enabling them to help themselves for their own benefit and that of the community.?Such matters shall be regulated by welfare and social security legislations
Article 25
All persons are equal before the law, without distinction between citizens of the Union in regard to race, nationality, religious belief or social status.
Article 26
Personal liberty is guaranteed to all citizens. No person may be arrested, searched, detained or imprisoned except in accordance with the provisions of law.?No person shall be subjected to torture or to degrading treatment.
Article 34
Every citizen shall be free to choose his occupation, trade or profession within the limits of law. Due consideration being given to regulations organizing some of such professions and trades. No person may be subjected to forced labor except in exceptional circumstances provided for by the law and in return for compensation. ?No person may be enslaved.
Article 41
Every person shall have the right to submit complaints to the competent authorities, including the judicial authorities. concerning the abuse or infringement of the rights and freedom stipulated in this Part.
** Currently, there is a draft law on maids and domestic servants, protecting them from abuse and imposing penalties, including imprisonment, on the offenders. The draft law will be put into law in two months.
The law will include penalties similar to those outlined in the criminal-code as any sponsor who will abuse his/her maid will face imprisonment in addition to other penalties such as ban on employing maids. The draft also includes a suggested plan to provide healthcare and health insurance to maids in case of accidents. All suggestions made in the draft law are in compliance with the International Charter of the Human Rights.