Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
The United Kingdom welcomes the engagement of United Arab Emirates with the UPR process.
We are pleased that the UAE has accepted our recommendation to ensure the political independence of its National Humans Rights Institute and its full compliance with the Paris Principles. We are also pleased that the UAE agreed to implement existing laws to ensure the rights of detainees are upheld; and that authorities will investigate promptly and impartially if a complaint about detainee treatment is made.
The UK believes that freedom of expression is a universal human right. We are therefore disappointed that the UAE has not accepted our recommendation to guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion, and freedom of expression and for peaceful assembly, in line with international human rights law. In the year that the UAE will host COP28, we ask that they share how they will assure citizens, residents and visitors of the UAE these rights now and in future.
We want to reiterate our thanks to the UAE for engaging positively with the UPR. We look forward to working in an open and constructive manner on human rights, building on our successful collaboration at the UN on co-penned resolutions on Tolerance, International Peace and Security and on supporting girls' education.
Thank you.
