UAE asked to end racism against foreigners

UNITED NATIONS - Following reports in the media and some labour groups, a United Nations human rights expert has urged the United Arab Emirates to create robust legal institutions and laws to combat racism aimed at foreign migrant populations, who form the majority in the Persian Gulf nation.
Githu Muigai, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, wrapped up a five-day visit to the UAE by welcoming the steps the Government has taken until now to address racism in the country, according to a press release issued at UN Headquarters in New York.
However, he voiced a number of concerns over UAEs policy on granting citizenship, the working and living conditions of construction and domestic workers, the situation of Bidoons or stateless persons, the victims of human trafficking, as well as the Emirati public education system which seems to be hampering the integration of foreigners in the society.
Most migrants are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Arab countries and the Philippines.
The United Arab Emirates is a unique country, where non-nationals constitute the vast majority of the population and where nationals represent a minority in their own country, said Muigai.
The influx of foreigners which has been supported by the Government to satisfy the demands of a fast-growing economy has contributed to the building of the country in a positive manner, he said. Yet it has created tremendous challenges for the Emirati society in terms of national identity, social integration and capacity of absorption.
The Special Rapporteur encouraged the Government to strengthen efforts to end discrimination on the grounds of national or ethnic origin, which often prevents individuals from receiving equal pay for equal work, as well as equality before the law.
Muigai reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in an independent and unpaid capacity, as do all Special Rapporteurs.