United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The United Arab Emirates constitution ‘dastūr’ of 1971 temporarily developed after the unification of the 6 Emirates details in article 33 that the Freedom of assembly and association are guaranteed within the limits of the law. Ras al Khaimah joined the Union in 1972 becoming the 7th Emirate. rulers of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. 1971. The constitution was ratified permanently in 1996 “The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates of 1971.” Official Gazette. December 2, 1971 https://www.raalc.ae/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/The-Constitution-of-the-United-Arab-Emirates-of-1971-English-1.pdf.
Freedom of Expression	History	Freedom of expression was first mentioned in Article 30 of the United Arab Emirates’ 1971 constitution. However, the document only guarantees this freedom “within the limits of the law.” “United Arab Emirates 1971 (rev. 2004).” Constitute. Accessed June 27, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004?lang=en
Freedom of Religion	History	In the 1971 Constitution of the United Arab Emirates, under Part Three, Article 32, freedom to exercise religious worship is guaranteed as long as it is in accordance with established customs and does not conflict with public policy or morals. Equality regardless of religion is asserted under Article 25, however, islam is declared the official religion under Article 7. Ref World. Constitution of the United Arab Emirates 1971. https://www.refworld.org/docid/48eca8132.html
Freedom of the Press	History	Articles 30 and 31 of the UAE’s 1971 Constitution protect freedom of expression and communication, but do not explicitly protect press freedom: “Freedom to hold opinions and express them orally, in writing or by other means of expression shall be guaranteed within the limits of the law… Freedom of communication by means of the posts, telegraph or other means of communication and their secrecy shall be guaranteed in accordance with the law" (Constitute Project, “Ukraine’s Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2016” ).
Privacy Rights	History	The 1971 constitution protects privacy in communications in Articles 31 and Article 36 protects one’s home (Constitute Project, “United Arab Emirates 1971, rev. 2009" ). https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_ 2009? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Under article 46 of section 1, The Supreme Council of the Union, each Emirate shall have a single vote in the deliberations of the council. According to article 49 decisions of the council and procedural matters shall be taken by majority vote. Article 61 states that the decisions are secret and in an evenly divided vote the Chairman’s vote shall prevail. There are no political parties and, until the beginning of the 21st century, no elections were held. Now, an electoral college meets every four years to select half of the members of the advisory Federal National Council, the other half is designated by appointment. (Constitute Project, “United Arab Emirates's Constitution of 1971 with Amendments through 2004” )