UAE citizens join push for greater democracy

A GROUP of citizens in the United Arab Emirates petitioned the rulers yesterday to allow a popularly elected parliament, as demands for leadership overhauls continued to spread across the Middle East.

Bahrain has been gripped by a three-week uprising, and smaller rallies have taken place in Kuwait, Oman and even Saudi Arabia.

There are no official opposition groups in the oil-rich UAE, a union of seven sheikhdoms. But the petition, signed by 130 pro-reform supporters, showed that Emiratis are acting on the inspiration of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolts. It demands the ruling system changes, gives them a say in the running of the country and a share in its oil wealth.

“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,” said Ahmed Mansour, an Emirati human rights activist and blogger.

The petition was addressed to UAE president and ruler of the capital Abu Dhabi, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan. The petitioners demanded “a comprehensive reform of the parliamentary system” and “free elections for all citizens”. They also called for constitutional reforms and granting legislative powers to an elected parliament.

The UAE parliament is an advisory body. Its 40 members are either directly appointed by the ruling sheikhs or elected by citizens hand-picked by the rulers to vote. Political parties and rallies are banned. Labourers from Southeast Asia have staged protests against low wages and poor working conditions in Dubai, but rallies ended in a police crackdown that included jailing and deporting thousands.