The UAE's National Human Rights Institution is to embark on a major community drive aimed at raising awareness of its work and offering greater protection to the public.
Maqsoud Kruse, chairperson of the organisation based in Abu Dhabi, said a series of projects being introduced this year would support the nation's efforts to "uphold human rights at the highest standards".
They include the launch of a complaints service, which will allow people to report human rights concerns and seek assistance, and the introduction of field visits to boost engagement with communities.
People will be able to lodge grievances on the institution's website, which will then be investigated.
A national campaign called Know Your Rights is aimed at educating the public about legal support open to them and what measures are in place to protect them from mistreatment.
Mr Kruse shared his vision in an interview with The National on the sidelines of the In Dialogue event, held at Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island.
“Education and awareness are key," he said. "The more people understand their rights, the stronger and more informed our communities become."
The NHRI is to launch its own podcast series and dedicated YouTube channel to promote the importance of human rights across society.
Championing human rights
The opening of the NHRI was directed by the late President Sheikh Khalifa, who issued federal law no. 12 in 2021 to set up the independent body.
The institution's remit is to provide information to authorities on whether national laws are aligned with international treaties and conventions on human rights, to which the UAE is a signatory.
It also tracks human-rights breaches and reports them to relevant authorities.
Dialogue and understanding
The Abu Dhabi summit brought together key speakers from the UAE and overseas to highlight the critical need to promote harmony and coexistence among all faiths and cultures in a time when division is rife around the world.
Mr Kruse has previously spoken of how human rights and equality are a cornerstone in building a better and fairer society, and are causes close to his heart, due in part to his being raised by a German father and an Emirati mother.
Dialogue is more than merely conversation, he said. “It is the foundation for peace, progress and a shared future,” Mr Kruse said. "The UAE stands as a beacon of tolerance and vision, leading the way in shaping the future through meaningful engagement and coexistence."
He described the summit as a unique opportunity for meaningful conversations and exchanges, especially in Abu Dhabi, which he said is “a capital of tolerance, the capital of humanity, the capital of dialogue”.
“At a time when the world faces complex challenges, ongoing discussions across all sectors of society are not just valuable, they are essential,” he said. "No matter the challenges or difficulties, the strength of dialogue lies in its ability to sustain engagement despite differences,” and the UAE was the best place to have this dialogue.
"If we look at the UAE’s trajectory, it has consistently championed peace, coexistence and humanity. Despite global conflicts, the UAE remains committed to fostering mature discussions and ensuring that dialogue is not just encouraged but prioritised.”
Countering extremism
Mr Kruse, who was previously executive director of Hedayah, the International Centre of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, spoke about the critical role dialogue plays in preventing radicalisation.
“All forms of extremism begin with an idea,” he said. “That idea triggers an emotional response, which can then lead to behaviours that may escalate into violence. The key is to intervene early, before tensions spiral out of control. Dialogue allows that intervention.”
He stressed the importance of proactive and preventive conversations, pointing out that many of those drawn to extremist ideologies have frustrations and perceived grievances. “The challenge is addressing those concerns as they arise, not after they’ve already escalated,” he said.
Dialogue, he said, is an ongoing effort that occurs at every level within people, between communities, at national level and in global diplomacy. He added: “It will never be perfect but it must never stop.”
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Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Kill%20
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
