Freedom in the World 1999 - United Arab Emirates

1999 Scores

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

Overview

A 1999 United Nations development report placed the United Arab Emirates among the world's top performers in terms of quality of life as measured by real income, life expectancy, and educational standards. Although its economy is largely dependent on oil revenues, the UAE has weathered oil price fluctuations better than its neighbors because of its massive holdings of liquid assets overseas. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi has led the transformation of the UAE from an impoverished region of small desert principalities into a modern, wealthy state. In doing so, he has maintained the country's Islamic traditions while promoting tolerance of the numerous other religions and nationalities within its borders. He has also worked tirelessly to protect the country's independence and cohesion in the face of perceived threats from outside.

The seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates formed a unified federation after gaining independence from 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 has served as president since independence and is considered largely responsible for the country's unification, development, and economic success. The UAE has 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 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. Tensions arose in relations with Saudi Arabia in 1999 as the latter improved political and economic ties with Iran. 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. Furthermore, the UAE regards its powerful neighbor's perceived intentions of Gulf supremacy as a threat, and has responded with steep increases in defense spending.

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, 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 Shari'a (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. Shari'a allows for corporal punishment for such crimes as adultery, prostitution, or drug/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 information minister, a son of Sheikh Zayed, was quoted in November as telling the media to "criticize freely," though there is no evidence that journalists complied. The print media are largely privately owned but receive government subsidies. Foreign publications are censored before distribution. Broadcast media are government-owned and present only government views. Satellite dishes are widely owned and provide foreign broadcasting without censorship. Human Rights Watch called the UAE "the most wired state in the Arab world," with some 143,000 Internet users. However, the UAE has also been the regional leader in advocating restricting access to the World Wide Web through technology.

The government restricts freedom of assembly and association. Permits are required for organized public gatherings. Political discussions are generally confined to gatherings in private homes and are tolerated by officials. Private associations must be licensed, but enforcement varies among emirates.

Islam is the official religion of the UAE. About 85 percent of its citizens are Sunnis, and the remaining 15 percent Shi'as. About 95 percent of Sunni mosques are government funded or subsidized. Shi'as are free to worship and to maintain mosques. The Federal Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs distributes weekly guidance to both Sunni and Shi'ite Sheikhs regarding religious sermons and ensures that sermons do not deviate frequently or significantly from approved topics. A limited number of Christian groups is granted legal recognition. Non-Muslims may practice freely but may not proselytize or distribute religious literature.

Women are well represented in education, government, and in 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. Amarried woman must have her husband's consent to accept employment or to travel abroad.

Foreign nationals brought into the UAE sometimes fall prey to abuse by managers who take most of their earnings and force them to work long hours in extreme heat or other dangerous conditions. Labor law offers some protection, but most abuse goes unreported. Unions, strikes, and collective bargaining are illegal and do not occur.