U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of the United Arab Emirates

43rd Session

Delivered by Taylor Westfall

Thank you, Mr. Vice President

The United States welcomes the delegation of the United Arab Emirates.

We commend the UAE for taking new steps to prevent human trafficking, promote religious tolerance, and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

We remain concerned about limits on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and punishment of individuals for criticizing government officials.

We recommend that the UAE:

1. Implement existing laws to inform all detainees of charges against them, ensure access to legal counsel and fair trials, and release all individuals detained for exercising their freedom of expression.
2. Eliminate restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, to ensure individuals can hold peaceful demonstrations without retribution, and revise the cybercrime law to ensure respect for international human rights.
3. Extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQI+ persons and criminalize spousal rape and prosecute its perpetrators to protect survivors of sexual assault.

I thank you.

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