Although we are only getting started, we aim to progressively extend our coverage of countries around the world.
The United Arab Emirates may join BRICS.
2.9
Full democracyFlawed democracyHybrid regimeAuthoritarian regime
44.46
GoodSatisfactoryProblematicDifficultVery Serious
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates led in practice by Abu Dhabi, the largest by area and richest in natural resources. Limited elections are held for a federal advisory body, but political parties are banned, and all executive, legislative, and judicial authority ultimately rests with the seven hereditary rulers. The civil liberties of both citizens and noncitizens, who make up an overwhelming majority of the population, are subject to significant restrictions.
Internet freedom in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains significantly restricted. Online censorship is rampant, and the online media environment lacks diversity. During the coverage period, social media users were arrested or fined for their posts, and one journalist received a prison sentence for a Facebook post in which he criticized the Nepalese embassy in the UAE. Government surveillance of online activists and journalists continued during the coverage period. Furthermore, three former US intelligence employees were fined after providing the UAE government with hacking software that was used to target perceived opponents of the government, including prodemocracy activists. Two new laws were passed that could further restrict online expression. The vaguely worded cybercrime law includes criminal penalties for those who share “fake news” online, while a newly introduced data protection law has problematic exemptions that could present risks to online privacy and further entrench government surveillance.
The United Arab Emirates is an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates,
consisting of Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.
Each emirate is governed by a ruler and together the rulers form the Federal Supreme Council.
According to human rights organisations, the government of the UAE violates a number of fundamental human rights.
The UAE does not have democratically elected institutions and citizens do not have the right to change their government or to form political parties.
Activists and academics who criticize the regime are detained and imprisoned, and their families are often harassed by the state security apparatus.
Politics of the United Arab Emirates take place in a framework of a federal presidential elective constitutional monarchy
(a federation of absolute monarchies).