Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: Federal Law No. (12) of 2020
- Issued Date: 10 Nov 2020
- Effective Date: 16 Nov 2020
- Official Gazette: No. 690
- Sector: Security and Safety
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 32
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law establishes the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, known as "Hedayah," in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The law defines the concept of extremism and violent extremism, outlines the Center's objectives and competences, and establishes its governance structure, including a Board of Directors and an Executive Director. The Center aims to serve as a platform for dialogue, information exchange, and coordination among member states of the Global Counterterrorism Forum to counter extremism and violent extremism. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 1-5) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the threat of extremism and violent extremism. The Center's activities, such as capacity building, research, and partnerships with public and private sectors, are expected to contribute to a safer and more secure environment for economic and social development in the country. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 3-5)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law establishes the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, known as "Hedayah," in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Center is tasked with achieving the following objectives: 1. Establishing a common platform for dialogue, exchange of views, and coordination of efforts with the founding countries of the Global Counterterrorism Forum to counter extremism and violent extremism. 2. Cooperating with other work teams established under the Forum. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 4) The law applies to the activities and operations of the Center, which has legal personality to carry out its objectives and contribute to the achievement of the Forum's goals. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions: - State: The United Arab Emirates - Forum: The Global Counterterrorism Forum - Center: The International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism - Board: The Board of Directors of the Center - Director: The Executive Director of the Center (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 1) The law also defines the concept of "extremism and violent extremism" as any action committed by one or more persons or a group motivated by ideas, ideologies, values, or principles that violate public order, endanger the safety and security of society, cause harm to the environment, telecommunications, transportation, or public or private funds, or prevent or hinder the public authorities, places of worship, or educational institutions from performing their functions, or obstruct the implementation of the Constitution, laws, and regulations. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 2)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law does not impose any direct obligations or requirements on individuals or companies. However, it outlines the following key responsibilities and competences of the Center: 1. Establishing a database for the exchange of information and data with the member states of the Forum. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 5(1)) 2. Building capacities, providing programs to counter extremism and violent extremism, and evaluating relevant research and studies. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 5(2)) 3. Organizing courses, workshops, lectures, and seminars on related topics. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 5(3)) 4. Preparing studies and research in the field of countering extremism and violent extremism. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 5(4)) 5. Cooperating and coordinating with the media, and establishing partnerships and cooperation with the public and private sectors. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 5(5))
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The law establishes the following governance structure for the Center: 1. Board of Directors: The Center is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of not fewer than ten public figures with international experience, including two senior State officials, who are chosen through the nominations of the participating countries of the Forum. The Board is chaired by the host state (UAE) and its meetings are held in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 6(1)) 2. Executive Director: The Center has an Executive Director who is a UAE citizen, appointed by the Board for a three-year renewable term. The Executive Director prepares an annual report on the Center's activities and submits it to the Board. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 8) The Board of Directors is responsible for developing strategies, plans, and programs for the Center, issuing regulations and by-laws, approving the annual budget and final account, and appointing the Executive Director and other directors. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 7)
What are the revenues of the Center?
The annual revenue of the Center shall consist of: 1. Allocations and financial grants from the member states of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. 2. Allocations and financial grants from local institutions and regional and international organizations, as approved by the Board, provided that they do not conflict with the objectives of the Center. 3. Any returns derived from the Center's activities. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 9)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force as of the day following the date of its publication, which was on 16 November 2020. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 16) The law also states that its provisions shall apply to the acts performed as of the date of repeal of the previously existing Federal Law No. (7) of 2013 Establishing the Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 16)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE federal legislation: - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Regarding the Competences of the Ministries and the Powers of the Ministers, as amended - Federal Law No. (7) of 1999 Promulgating Pensions and Social Security Law, as amended - Federal Law No. (39) of 2006 Regarding International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters - Federal Law No. (51) of 2006 Regarding Combating Offences of Human Trafficking, as amended - Federal Decree by Law No. (11) of 2008 Regarding Human Resources in the Federal Government, as amended - Federal Law No. (7) of 2013 Establishing the Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (which is now repealed) - Federal Law No. (7) of 2014 Regarding Combating Terrorism Offences - Federal Decree by Law No. (26) of 2019 Regarding Public Finance (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Preamble) The law also states that the Center's relationship with the Global Counterterrorism Forum shall not preclude the application of the legislation in force in the UAE to the Center and its employees. (Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, 2020, Art. 13)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Establishing the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism 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.