UAE praised, and prodded, by Unicef

Alison McMeans

• Last Updated: November 20. 2009 11:08PM UAE / November 20. 2009 7:08PM GMT

ABU DHABI // The UAE has made great progress in the area of children’s rights but should do even more, a Unicef official said.

Representatives of the United Nations organisation were in the capital to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The UAE was praised for ranking first among Arab countries in the reduction of the mortality rate for children under five and for having almost 100 per cent of its children enrolled in school.

“Nevertheless, there are also things which should be covered things like child protection, and issues related to the participation of girls and their role in society,” said Dr Ayman Abu Laban, the Unicef representative for the Gulf region.

“There have been achievements, but there is always room for improvement.”

Thursday’s event at the General Women’s Union celebrated the progress of the UAE since it signed the CRC in 1997.

The convention, which was established in 1989, has been signed by almost every country in the world. It is considered the most ratified human rights document in history.

The event concluded with an hour of classical music by the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Al Khubairat Orchestra.

“The dedication and passion displayed tonight by the children from the two orchestras was truly inspiring,” said Hoda al Khamis Kanoo, the founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

“I, like Unicef, firmly believe it is the right of every child to express their culture and identity.

“[We] will continue to give children an opportunity to explore social unity through artistic and cultural programmes, developing a channel for self-expression and communication.”

amcmeans@thenational.ae