New UAE law on discrimination and hatred: what every employer needs to know
Type
E-journal
Date
10 Aug 2015
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Taxonomy
General Employment & Labour Law, Discrimination & Employment Law, Discrimination
Copyright
LexisNexis
Relevant company
Clyde & Co
Legal reference
Federal Decree-Law No. 2/2015, Federal Law No. 8/1980
Analysis
On 20 July 2015, the UAE announced its adoption of a Federal Law, Federal Decree-Law No 2/2015 on Preventing Discrimination and Hatred (the "Law"). Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has announced that the law “guarantees the freedom of individuals from religious intolerance … and underpins the UAE's policy of inclusiveness."
Although the main aim of the Law appears to be to combat religious contempt or intolerance (with a particular emphasis on preventing extremism), the Law also introduces a definition of discrimination. Discrimination is prohibited under the Law both in the context of the incitement, facilitation or act of religious contempt or other intolerance, but also as a stand-alone punishment. Whilst this latter provision is presumably aimed at combating extremism and terrorism, the drafting of the prohibition is quite wide.
The new legislation is a significant development within the UAE and was widely welcomed on its announcement. In this bulletin we examine the main provisions of the new Law and its potential impact.