UAE to review laws to strengthen tolerance legislation, says minister

As part of the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, the government plans to undertake a three-part analysis of relevant laws to “identify any gaps that need filling”, according to His Highness Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak al Nahayan, cabinet member and Minister of Tolerance.

In an interview with Arabian Business, Sheikh Nahayan said that the first focus of the review is to “identify and correct any current legislation that has a negative effect on promoting tolerance or prevents the promotion of tolerance.”

“Second, identify any gaps that need filling in the sense of what laws or legislation needs to be introduced that will help promote tolerance, peace and security in the country,” he added.

Additionally, Sheikh Nahayan said that the Ministry will work to “identify any international legal frameworks that that will help promote the UAE’s model of tolerance internationally.”

“We strong believe that an appropriate legal framework for tolerance is essential for success,” he said.

Throughout 2019, Sheikh Nahayan said that the Ministry has over 20 projects – some already ongoing – to promote tolerance in the UAE and abroad.

Among the projects are a “festival of tolerance” and a “tolerance in schools” project that will be carried out in both private and public schools, as well as a programme that will help authors produce relevant books and materials.

Already, he noted that the Ministry helped organise “Tolerance Games” in which the various nationalities present in UAE labour camps are brought together for a cricket competition, an initiative he said was “very successful”.

“We are optimistic that the Year of Tolerance will witness all these activities at a high level of impact and effectiveness,”