Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: (12) of 2022
- Issued Date: 15 Sep 2022
- Effective Date: 15 Sep 2022
- Official Gazette: No. (ملحق)736
- Sector: Government Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 36
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Decree-Law establishes the "Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values" within the Presidential Court. The Office is tasked with developing strategic orientations, promoting values of tolerance and coexistence, and contributing to an intellectual civilizational vision for the UAE. The Office has financial and administrative independence, and is responsible for proposing policies, strategies, and legislation related to the "Civilization and Human Values Sector" in coordination with relevant authorities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Arts. 2, 4, 6) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE, as the Office is empowered to provide support to civil society and private entities operating in the Civilization and Human Values Sector, and to follow up on their compliance with relevant policies and legislation. The Office also plays a role in overseeing external assistance in this sector and building competent leadership. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Arts. 5, 6, 8)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law establishes the "Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values" within the Presidential Court, granting it legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and full legal capacity. The Office is tasked with developing strategic orientations, promoting values of tolerance and coexistence, and contributing to an intellectual civilizational vision for the UAE. The law specifies that the Office's scope covers the "Civilization and Human Values Sector", which includes all activities, works, events, and services intended to influence and elevate the spiritual aspects and humanitarian values in the UAE, across all cultures, religions, and beliefs present in the country. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Arts. 1, 2, 4)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Cabinet: The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates
- Court: The Presidential Court
- Minister: The Minister of the Presidential Court
- Office: The Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values
- Sector/Civilization and Human Values Sector: The activities, works, events, and services that are intended to influence and elevate the spiritual aspects and humanitarian values, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by Law and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, including all cultures, religions, and beliefs present in the State
- Concerned Authorities: The federal or local government authorities concerned with the Civilization and Human Values Sector
- Head of the Office: The Head of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values
- Secretary-General: The Secretary-General of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values
(Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. The Minister must issue a decision specifying the conditions and requirements for civil society and private entities operating in the Civilization and Human Values Sector to receive support from the Office. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 5) 2. The Cabinet must issue a resolution, upon the proposal of the Minister, specifying the powers granted to the Office for the purpose of verifying the proper use and disposition of any support provided to the Concerned Authorities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 5) 3. The Concerned Authorities and civil society, private, and institutional entities operating in the Sector must cooperate with the Office, work closely with it, and coordinate to ensure the achievement of the Office's objectives and competences. This includes submitting draft policies, strategies, legislation, and plans relating to the Sector for review, coordinating with the Office regarding the representation of the UAE in religious events, and providing the Office with requested statistics, data, studies, and documents. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 12)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this law are: 1. The Cabinet: The Cabinet is responsible for issuing resolutions upon the proposal of the Minister, such as the resolution specifying the powers granted to the Office for verifying the proper use of support provided to the Concerned Authorities. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 5) 2. The Minister of the Presidential Court: The Minister is responsible for various duties, including issuing decisions, forming advisory and coordination committees, and approving the policies, plans, strategies, organizational structure, budget, and reports of the Office. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Arts. 5, 7, 11) 3. The Head of the Office: The Head of the Office, with the rank of Minister, is responsible for the performance of the Office and exercises various powers, such as approving policies, plans, and strategies, and opening and managing bank accounts on behalf of the Office. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 7) 4. The Secretary-General: The Secretary-General is responsible for managing the financial and administrative affairs of the Office, proposing policies and plans, and representing the Office before courts and third parties. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Art. 8)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Federal Decree-Law is issued pursuant to the following UAE legislation: 1. The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates 2. Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers, as amended 3. Federal Decree by Law No. (4) of 2004 Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Presidential Court, as amended The law does not explicitly repeal or amend any other UAE legislation. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Decree-Law came into effect on 15 September 2022, the date of its issuance. The law does not specify any transitional provisions. (Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values, 2022, Issued Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree by Law Regarding the Establishment and Regulation of the Office of Civilization and the Promotion of Human Values for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.