The United Arab Emirates is located in the middle east between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is also bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Formarly the Trucial Oman, in 1971 it won its independence from the UK in 1971 and by 1972, the UAE was formed of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwain). The UAE is a federation with "specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates" (CIA). It's president is Khalifa Bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan, however there is also a Federal Supreme Council that is the highest constitutional authority and is composed of the seven emirate rulers.
The UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the middle east, and has a moderate foreign policy stance (CIA). However, there are still some aspects of UAE government that inhibits human rights. Political parties are not allowed, citizens are not allowed to change their government, and the media is still mostly owned by the government. Yet, the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates still protects many human rights, although it is hard to enforce the laws for non-citizens who make up a large part of the population (about 80%). There are also reports of the government restricting civil liberties, reports of domestic abuse of women and "trafficking in persons", as well as restricted rights and abuses of foreign servants and workers (US Department of State).
"2008 Human Rights Report: UAE." US Department of State., 25 Feb 2009. Web. 12 Feb 2011. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/nea/119129.htm.
"United Arab Emirates." CIA - The World Factbook., 13 Jan 2011. Web. 12 Feb 2011. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ae.html.
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