US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI2075

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002075 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, AND NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KWMN, TC 
SUBJECT: UAE 'S STANDVIEW ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST 
WOMEN 
 
 
1. THE LATEST EDITION (JUNE 15) OF THE UAE WOMEN'S 
WEEKLY MAGAZINE "ALMARA'A ALYOUM" INTERVIEWS UAE 
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' DIRECTOR FOR LEGAL 
AFFAIRS, AHMAD AL-JARMAN, ON THE ISSUE OF 
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT 
THE UAEG WILL SIGN THETHE JUNE 15 EDITION OF THE UAE 
WEEKLY WOMEN'S MAGAZINE "ALMARA'A ALYOUM" REPORTS ON A 
UAE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL'S VIEWS ABOUT THE CONVENTION ON 
THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST 
WOMEN (CEDAW), ADOPTED IN 1979 BY THE UN GENERAL 
ASSEMBLY. 
 
   AHMAD AL-JARMEN, THE UAE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS, IS AMONG SEVERAL ARAB 
OFFICIALS INTERVIEWED FOR THE ARTICLE. AL- JARMEN SAID 
THAT THE UAE IS CONFRONTED WITH A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES 
WITH REGARD TO SIGNING CEDAW.  HE SAID THAT WOMEN 
ORGANIZATIONS DO NOT RAISE THE SUBJECT AND DO NOT WISH 
MFA TO DISCUSS IT EXCEPT WITH HIGHER AUTHORITIES DUE TO 
THE ISSUE'S SENSITIVITY.  HE ADDED THAT THE UN 
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN THE UAE WOULD NOT TALK ABOUT 
CEDAW UNTIL AFTER IT IS SIGNED2. . 
 
 2. THE UAE HAS DELAYED SIGNING THE CEDAW, AL-JAERMAN 
SAID, BECAUSE, LIKE OTHER ARAB ISLAMIC COUNTRIES, THE 
UAE HAS RESERVATIONS ABOUT CERTAIN CLAUSES IN CEDAW, 
SUCH AS EQUALITY BETWEEN THE TWO GENDERS IN INHERITANCE 
MATTERS, CHILD ADOPTION (WHICH IS PROHIBITED BY 
SHARI'A), AND TRANSMISSIONTTING OF CITIZENSHIP FROM A 
WOMAEN TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN, WHICH CONTRADICTS 
NATURALIZATION LAWS IN MANY COUNTRIES.  AL- JARMAEN 
ADDED THAT ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE NECESSARY WITHIN THE 
SOCIAL SECURITY, FAMILY LAWS, AND ISLAMIC SHARI'A 
REGULATIONS, IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE AGREEMENT. 
 
3. ASKED WHETHER THE U.S. SIGNED CEDAW, AL-JERMAN SAID 
THAT THE U.S. HAD SIGNED BUT NOT RATIFIED IT, SO IT IS 
STILL NOT BINDING.  HE SAID THAT THE UAE CONSIDERS 
CEDAW VERY IMPORTANT AND  FUNDAMENTAL TO FOR HUMAN 
RIGHTS.  HE ADDED THAT THE UAE IS WITNESSING A MAJOR 
DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROLE OF WOMEN, AND NOTED THAT THE 
UAE, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UAE GENERAL WOMEN'S 
UNION, IS THE FOUNDER OF THE ARAB WOMAN ORGANIZATION IN 
EGYPT., THROUGH THE UAE GENERAL WOMEN'S UNION. 
 
4.  AL- JARMAEN SAID THAT CEDAW "THIS AGREEMENT "IS ONE 
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HUMAN RIGHTS TOOLS, AND THE UAE 
COMPLETELY SUPPORTS IT.  THERE IS A STRONG CALL FROM 
OUR SIDE TO INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC, 
ADMINISTRATIVE, AND POLITICAL LIFE, AND THESE FACTORS 
CONTRIBUTE TO THE NECESSITY OF US BEING MEMBERS OF THIS 
AGREEMENT." 
 
5. AL-JARMAN SAID THAT THE UAE FACES A NUMBER OF 
OBSTACLES AS IT CONSIDERS WHETHER TO SIGN CEDAW.  HE 
SAID THAT WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS HAVE NOT YET RAISED THE 
SUBJECT WITH MFA, PREFERRING TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH 
HIGHER AUTHORITIES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE'S SENSITIVITY. 
ALBRIGHT