19/12/2025 (Agence Europe) – On the occasion of the 13th EU-United Arab Emirates Human Rights Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 17 December, the European Union highlighted the “important reforms” that the country has undertaken in the area of social and economic rights - notably the empowerment of women and young people, economic and political inclusion, as well as the “sustained” efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and coexistence. While three executions took place in the UAE at the end of February, the EU has reiterated that it is opposed to the death penalty. The Europeans encouraged the country to further harmonise its national legislation with international law, particularly with respect to civil and political rights and labour rights - which “will reinforce the enabling environment for the EU-UAE Strategic Partnership and Free Trade Agreement.” At the end of the dialogue, the EU and the United Arab Emirates agreed to focus their operational cooperation on digital rights. (CG)