Humanitarian aid guide translated into Arabic

Abu Dhabi: While the UAE is among the leading countries in the GCC that provide aid and additional resources to help victims in crises, there is still much that can be done by the region's humanitarian and non-governmental organisations, a leading expert in humanitarian affairs told Gulf News.

"The UAE government has been a great source of help, not only in the translation of The Sphere Handbook, but also in providing translations for additional humanitarian documents and it is also a leading source for aid not only for victims in the region, but around the world as well," said Khalid Khalifa, Head of Office for the Coordination of the Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Integrated Regional Information Network (IRN) for Middle East and Asia Bureau.

Rwanda genocide

The handbook, which is among the most recognised guide on humanitarian services and crisis management, was first released in 1994 as a result of the difficulties faced by aid workers in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. It cannot be applied legally, however, and humanitarian experts have called for applying it ethically.

"Because of the UAE's constant commitment to helping victims by providing aid and resources, one of the methods we use to ensure that our representatives are always up-to-date on the latest information and techniques, we are constantly organising training workshops so that Emiratis in the humanitarian sector can continue building their skills," Sultan Al Shamsi, Executive Director, UAE office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid (OCFA), said.

"The Arabic edition will also be distributed by western aid organisations and additional launches of it are being planned in July.One of the challenges we faced in translating it was ensuring that the Arabic phrases used were as clear as possible, as there are many different dialects in the region," Khalifa said.

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Abdullah's India visit to cement ties

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, will pay an official visit to India on June 27 along with a high-level delegation, UAE government sources and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi told Gulf News Wednesday.

The high-profile visit may result in the conclusion of some agreements in important areas of cooperation, the UAE sources said.

Shaikh Abdullah will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials, as well as several business leaders and CEOs of key companies in the areas of shipping, aviation, telecommunication and energy.

He will hold discussions with the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna as well as senior Indian leaders including the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral and international issues, M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said. India and the UAE have close relations based on historic foundations, he said.

Currently, the two countries are its largest trading partners with bilateral trade amounting to around $44 billion (Dh161.48 billion) in 2009-2010. Investments are growing substantially from both sides, the ambassador said.

In addition, the UAE is an important supplier of crude oil to India. Both countries share common perceptions on major global issues in the security, economic and environmental fields, Lokesh said.

Partnership

"Both sides have expressed their desire to take their partnership to strategic levels. The visit comes at a time when new global challenges are emerging and both the countries have common interests in their early resolution," the ambassador said.

India recognises and appreciates the growing role of the UAE in regional and global affairs and its initiatives in maritime security, peace-keeping operations and regional peace initiatives as well as in other areas like global governance, environment, and renewable energy sectors, Lokesh said.

The visit will provide a valuable opportunity to further cement the warm and friendly relations that exist between the two countries, he said.

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Emirates ID cards mandatory for members to vote in FNC elections

Abu Dhabi: Voters must have an Emirates Identity card to take part in the upcoming Federal National Council (FNC) elections. The card, which is equipped with a chip will be used for the first time to ensure the identity of the holder.

E-voting is considered to be one of the most efficient in ensuring a safe, effective and convenient election process, said Dr Ali Al Khouri, director-general of the Emirates Identity Authority and member of the National Election Committee (NEC). The election is scheduled to be held on September 24, officials said Tuesday.

The electronic voting system, he said, has been adopted in many countries across the world and the UAE was the first Arab country in the region to implement such an advanced system in 2006.

The UAE adopts best international practices in using e-voting systems. Leading e-voting solutions provider Logica Business and Technology has been chosen for the FNC elections this year.

Electoral base

The electoral base for this year's elections has been expanded to ensure larger public participation, but the electoral rolls for the seven emirates will be announced on July 11, said Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and a member of the NEC.

Indications are that more than 80,000 people named by Rulers' courts in the seven emirates will elect 20 representatives to the council.

"Preparations for the elections are proceeding to plan and in keeping with the vision of the UAE leadership," Lootah told a news conference. Since the FNC's inception in 1972, its members were appointed by the Rulers' courts in different emirates.

Members appointed

Elections were introduced in the FNC's 13th legislative session of 2006 to implement the directives of the Supreme Council of the Federation and the President's decision to elect 50 per cent of FNC members directly from 6,595 people who formed the electoral colleges in the emirates. The rest of the members were to be appointed by the Rulers.

"The Election Management Committee has an integrated action plan which takes into account the larger representation expected in the Electoral College. Polling centres will be opened in various locations based on the number of Electoral College members and accessibility, and there will be more than one polling station in some emirates, to make it convenient for voters," Lootah said.

The National Election Committee has also launched a call centre and website on the FNC Elections 2011 as part of increasing public awareness and facilitating procedures associated with the elections. The initiative is in line with the educational plan designed to educate Electoral College members on all aspects of the election process.

"The call centre aims to provide Electoral College members and the public with all the necessary information concerning voting and nomination as well as to answer all election related questions. The website will also facilitate members' access to important information."

Women candidates

"We have tried to build a comprehensive website that includes information related to the election process, schedule of elections and information on the NEC, FNC as well as the various committees, subcommittees and executive instructions," Lootah added.

Women entered the FNC for the first time in the 2006 council, but they were appointed by the Rulers, except for one member, who was elected.

Enfranchised Emiratis have increased more than 12 times compared to the 6,595 people who voted in 2006.

Schedule

July 11: Announcement of electoral rollsAugust 14 to 17: Registration of candidatesAugust 20: Announcement of the preliminary list of candidatesAugust 28: Announcement of final list of candidatesSeptember 4 to 21: Campaigning periodSeptember 24: Election day and announcement of results after initial screeningSeptember 28: Adoption of the final list of winners (in the absence of by-elections)October 6: Adoption of the final list of winners if by-elections are held. This occurs if more than one candidate receives equal votes or if an election is cancelled at any centre.

Information

For enquiries on the electoral process and procedures dial 600566661 or visit the website www.uaenec.ae

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Grieving man looks back at the killings that changed his life

Khor Fakkan: A man who came to the UAE more than 40 years ago says the grizzly murder of his two sons-in-law in 1992 changed his life forever.

Imam Bakash, from Pakistan, says he cannot go back home because he has to look after 12 orphaned grandchildren.

He works at a small garments shop in Khor Fakkan's old souq area, and as he recalled the tragic incident that changed his life he could not hold back the tears.

Around 19 years ago, Bakash owned three shops including one exchange house, where the salaries of government employees were transferred. The exchange house was near the current garments shop. He managed the shops with the help of his relatives including his brother-in-law and his two sons-in-law.

"In October this year, 19 years will have been passed since the tragic incident that changed my life. The brutal murders of my relatives has left a life-long scar and I [have] not recovered from it yet," he said wiping away his tears.

Brutal murder

According to records, on October 20, 1992, the brutal murder of three men shook the quiet city of Khor Fakkan. The three men were Bakash's relatives. His two sons-in-law and another relative were killed, while his brother-in-law escaped with serious injuries.

Click on the links below to read the archive articles

Three murdered, three arrested
'I was shot in the neck, chest and kicked down a valley'
Death term for three in Dhaid shooting upheld

"The four of them used to help me with the exchange shop and we used to take the money to our home at the end of the day to keep it in the safe. They had left before me as I was praying. When I arrived home and did not find them, I felt there was something wrong and informed the police," Bakash said.

Bakash said his relatives had been carrying Dh500,000. Court papers recorded the victims were carrying around Dh350,000 of various currencies.

According to the details of the incident, two policemen and a third person carried out a cold-blooded attack on the four men near Al Dhaid desert, killing three of them and severely injuring the fourth man for the money they were carrying.

The murderers were arrested, tried and later on executed for their crime.

Bakash was left without the support of his relatives and with 12 orphan grandchildren.

Dilemma

"My family used to live with me here, but after the incident, it became difficult for me to support my family financially and I had to send them back home to Pakistan.

"After the court case finished, I received Dh350,000 out of the Dh500,000 as a compensation. I am still waiting for Dh150,000 although I know I will not get it, especially that the [criminals] have been executed and got their punishment," he said.

He said all he wants now is to go back to his family.

"I want to go back, but I do not have enough money to support 20 hungry mouths, including 12 orphans. I do not want to go back to them empty handed, but at this age, I cannot do much to make money. I pray that my suffering will end soon and I will be able to reunite with my family in Pakistan," he said.

Murder for money

In October, 1992, two policemen travelling in a patrol car, stopped the victims near their house in Khor Fakkan and ordered them to follow their car, claiming they were wanted by Sharjah Police.

Another man travelled with the victims in their car which followed the police toward Al Dhaid. The victims' car broke down near Al Siji Roundabout near Masafi village.

The victims were transferred to the police car and their hands were tied with ropes. When one of the victims tried to resist, the killers stopped the car, shot all of the men and kicked their bodies down a valley. One of the victims managed to survive.

According to records, the murderers had planned the crime three months before carrying it out and had monitored the victims and the exchange house from a nearby restaurant.

In September, 1993, all three were executed.

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RAK police on the hunt for radar vandals

Dubai: Several radars were smashed by unknown people in Ras Al Khaimah recently, official police source said.

Lieutenant Colonel Saleh Salem Al Shimali Director of the Directorate General of Central Operations, Acting Command Ras Al Khaimah Police, urged the public to cooperate with the police in maintaining the public property of the emirate and not to destroy it.

Al Shimali denounced the act which occurred yesterday evening when unknown persons damaged a radar located in Al Rams Sha'am by spraying its glass black and spraying graffiti on the box. Al Shimali said an investigation has been launched.

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Traffic snags expected as Khalidiya Bridge partly closed for repairs

Sharjah: The partial closure of Khalidiya Bridge for repairs is expected to cause major traffic diversions on Al Arouba Street. The bridge is a vital link for people commuting between Rolla, Ajman and Dubai.

The Sharjah Public Works Department announced yesterday that it would partially close the Khalidiya and Sharjah bridges to carry out renovation work beginning in the first week of July.

Dh8 million plans

The work on the two bridges, located close to Al Jazeera Park, will cost around Dh8 million.

Eng Amal Al Khamis, Acting Director of the road maintenance department for the General Directorate of Infrastructure in the Public Works Department, said that the work is part of a comprehensive plan to complete correctional and preventive renovation work on roads and squares in Sharjah.

Eng Sulaiman Al Hajiri, Director-General of Road Projects, said the two bridges were built in the late 1970s. The Public Works Department called on motorists to exercise caution.

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