Emiratis sign online petition calling for a representative government
A group of more than 130 Emiratis on 9 March submitted a petition to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan calling for a more representative parliament with legislative powers.
The online petition, which follows uprisings across the Arab world, calls for “comprehensive reform” of the country’s Federal National Council (FNC), the country’s quasi-parliament, which has an advisory role but no legislative powers.
Currently, half of the FNC’s 40 members are appointed by the UAE Supreme Council, which comprises the rulers of each of the UAE’s seven emirates. The other half are elected by a group of citizens, also selected by the rulers.
“By putting these demands forward at this time we wanted to send a message that cannot be missed. We have some demands for political reform and democracy, too,” Emirati human rights activist and a blogger Ahmed Mansour told AP.
Abu Dhabi introduced some modest political reforms in February that included an increase in the size of the appointed electoral college.
Political parties and rallies are banned in the UAE.
You might also like...
PIF entity makes $1bn Lucid placement
29 March 2024
Petro Rabigh awards KBR maintenance contract
29 March 2024
Diriyah Company seeks firms for demolition package
29 March 2024
European finance in place for Tunisia Bizerte bridge
29 March 2024
A MEED Subscription...
Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.