DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has authorized its first non-governmental organization to begin work to enforce human rights in the Gulf state, said Al-Emirat Al-Yawm newspaper last week. Quoting a licensing decision issued by the Social Affairs Ministry, it said the Emirates Human Rights Association (EHRA) aimed to "respect and enforce human rights according to the state's laws and constitution."

"Raising awareness among individuals and clarifying their rights and duties towards society" are part of the association's aims, the ministry added.

EHRA will also "report to specialized authorities on the conditions of political prisoners and prisoners of opinion and detainees," it said.

The English-language daily Gulf News said EHRA's license was granted on February 18 and that the organization will be based in the capital, Abu Dhabi.

Active membership would be confined to U.A.E. nationals while foreign residents can be admitted as non-active members, Al-Emirat Al-Yawm said.

Earlier this month, a U.A.E. court jailed 12 men for up to six years on charges of homosexuality and obscenity after they were arrested at a purported gay wedding. - AFP