Federal Law No. 9 concerning the Red Crescent Authority in the UAE

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  • Year:
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Language: English
  • Document Type: Domestic Law or Regulation
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Status: Law in force
FED LAW No. 9 of 2002
Gazette No. 384
UAE Official Gazette
The Red Crescent Authority
Serial Index of the Articles of Federal Law No. 9 issued on 28/07/2002 AD
corresponding to 18 Jumada I, 1423 AH
Concerning the Red Crescent Authority of the United Arab Emirates
Federal Law No. 9 issued on 28/07/2002 AD corresponding to 18 Jumada I,
1423 AH
We, Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates,
After perusal of the Constitution constitution; and
Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 concerning the functions of Ministries, and the authorities of Ministers, as
amended; and
Federal Law No. 6of 1974 concerning the public utility societies, as amended; and
Federal Law No. 7of 1976 establishing the Audit Bureau; and
Federal Law No. 3of 1987 promulgating the penal code; and
Based on the proposal made by the Minister of the State for Foreign Affairs, as approved by the Cabinet, and
ratified by the Federal Supreme Council;
issue the following Law:
Definitions
Article 1 Definition of phrases
In the application of the provisions hereof, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to
each of them, unless otherwise required by the context:
The State : The United Arab Emirates
Authority : The Red Crescent Authority of the United Arab Emirates
The Authority President : The Authority’s senior President
Board of Directors : The Authority’s Board of Directors
Statute : The Authority’s Statute
Geneva Conventions : Geneva conventions of August 1949, and the two additional protocols attached thereto.
National Movement : Represent the national societies of the Red Crescent, the Red Cross, the International
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Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Crescent and Red Cross societies.
Sign : The Authority’s sign.
Chapter One Legal Status and Objectives
Article 2 Foundation of the Authority
There shall be established according to the provisions hereof a federal independent Authority called “the Red
Crescent of the United Arab Emirates”. Such Authority shall have a legal personality and shall enjoy financial
and administrative independence.
Article 3 Headquarters and Branches of the Authority
The Authority shall have its headquarters in the city of Abu Dhabi. Subject to a decision of the Authority
President, the Authority may establish branches within the State and offices abroad.
Article 4 The Authority Concept:
The Authority is the national entity that undertakes the activities of the Red Crescent inside and outside the
State. Being a voluntary relief agency, the Authority shall help, support the general authorities of the State at the
times of peace and war and second their actions in the humanitarian field according to the legislations
applicable in the State, Geneva conventions of 1949, any other conventions the State may be a party thereto and
basic principles of the international movement.
Article 5 Objectives of the Authority:
The Authority aims at performing a humanitarian mission based on protecting man’s life, ensuring respect for
his humanity and alleviating his sufferance in coordination and cooperation with competent and concerned
authorities inside and outside the State by:
1. Providing every possible aspect of health care by preventing diseases and treating prevalent ones, developing
awareness and qualification programs, doing everything that would raise the health care standard, saving
causalities and the sick, contributing to the establishment of field hospitals at the places of prevalent diseases,
providing all that the injured and sick need of aids, medical services and medicines by all available means.
2. Organizing relief operations and performing the same by offering necessary aids in the form of services,
moral and material support to the people affected in cases of catastrophes and armed conflicts.
3. Setting up charity projects and caring for the social causes of widows, orphans, elderly people and those with
special needs and reuniting separated families.
4. Encouraging the young and all the other categories of society to participate in the voluntary action by holding
specialized courses and programs and preparing voluntary trained personnel to achieve the objects of the
Authority.
5. Introducing the principles and objectives of the international movement and the principles and rules of the
international humanitarian law.
6. Representing the State and participating in the local, regional and international conferences, seminars and
meetings relating to the objectives of the Authority.
Chapter Two Membership and Administrative Structure
Article 6 The Authority President:
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The Authority President is the senior President who shall approve the general policies of and represent the
Authority before the State. He shall be appointed under a federal decree.
Article 7 Membership and Statute of the Authority:
Membership to the Authority is open to all without discrimination. The Authority statute shall determine the
conditions of such membership, its forfeiture and withdrawal, the categories, rights and duties of members.
Article 8 Formation and Meetings of the General Assembly:
The General Assembly shall be composed of affiliated members according to the Authority statute. It shall hold
its meetings once a year. It may also hold extraordinary meetings whenever necessary at the invitation of the
Board of Directors or of his deputy in his absence.
Article 9 The Authority’s Board of Directors:
1. The Authority shall be managed by a Board of Directors composed of an odd number no less than seven
members including the Chairman according to the provisions of the statute.
2. The Chairman and half the members of the Board shall be appointed by a decision of the Authority President.
The other members shall be elected by secret ballot by the General Assembly.
3. The term of membership on the Board of Directors shall be four years. Such term may be renewed according
to the provisions of the statute.
4. A Board member must be a national of the State, aged twenty one years old at least, recognized as good in
conduct and character and supportive of charitable and voluntary actions.
5. The Board of Directors shall hold its ordinary meetings at the Authority headquarters at the invitation of its
Chairman or his deputy in his absence at least once every three months. It may also hold extraordinary meetings
whenever necessary at the invitation of its Chairman or his deputy in his absence or at the request of five of its
members at least.
Article 10 Functions of the Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors shall be Authority empowered to supervise the Authority’s affairs and handle its matters
in order to achieve its underlying objectives. Also, the Board of Directors may in particular:
1. Plan the general policies of the Authority and approve the necessary plans for managing and investing its
funds.
2. Prepare the Authority statute, the bylaws of its personnel, and all organizational, administrative and financial
regulations.
3. Prepare the organizational chart of the Authority.
4. Propose the legislations relative to the Authority.
5. Prepare the balance sheet and final accounts of the Authority have them approved by the Authority President.
6. Recommend appointing a Secretary General for the Authority.
7. Appoint auditors and determine their fees.
8. Open special accounts for the Authority inside and outside the State.
9. Approve an emergency plan and its financial provisions.
10. Form permanent and interim committees.
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11. Approve periodical reports about the work of the secretariat general.
12. Prepare the draft agenda of the General Assembly.
13. Examine all the matters referred to it by the Authority President.
14. Exercise any other functions provided for herein, or in any other laws, decisions or regulations promulgated
in this respect.
Article 11 The Secretariat General and Functions:
The Authority shall have a Secretariat General chaired by a Secretary General who shall be appointed by a
decision of the Authority President on a recommendation of the Board of Directors to handle the Authority’s
technical, administrative and financial affairs according to the Authority’s statute, regulations and decisions of
the Board. He shall also represent the Authority before judiciary authorities and in its relations with others.
The Secretariat General shall exercise the following functions in particular:
1. Prepare the necessary plans for managing and investing the funds of the Authority.
2. Propose systems and regulations for the Authority’s work.
3. Propose permanent and interim committees.
4. Prepare periodical reports about the work of the Secretariat General.
5. Prepare a draft agenda for the activities of the Board of Directors, and follow up the implementation of the
decisions such Board passes.
6. Examine all the function-inclusive matters referred to the Secretariat General by the Board of Directors or the
Board Chairman.
7. Exercise any other functions provided for herein, or in any other laws, decisions or regulations promulgated
in this respect.
Chapter Three Financial Affairs
Article 12 Budget of the Authority:
The Authority shall have an independent annual budget. Expenditures from the items of such budget shall be
paid according to the accounting rules contained in the Authority’s financial and accounting regulations. The
Board of Directors may transfer expenditures from one chapter to another. Similarly, the Board Chairman may
transfer expenditures from one item to another.
Article 13 Funds of the Authority:
The Authority shall dispose of its funds so as to realize its objectives. It shall provide for its needs by public or
limited tenders, or selective tendering or direct contract, within its annual budget and according to the
Authority’s financial and accounting regulations. Under a decision of the Board of Directors, the budget surplus
may be invested for purposes not contradicting the objectives of the Authority.
Article 14 Formation of the Authority Revenues:
The Authority revenues shall be composed of the following resources:
1. The appropriations made annually to the Authority from the State general budget.
2. The contributions determined by the member emirates of the federation to support the Authority.
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3. Donations, gifts, aids, grants, legacies and endowments agreeing with the objectives of the Authority.
4. Contributions of members according to the provisions of the statute of the Authority.
5. The revenues realized from the Authority’s immovable and movable properties and their investment returns.
6. The surplus realized in the Authority’s budget during previous years.
7. Any other revenues agreeing with the objectives of the Authority and acceptable to the Board of Directors.
Article 15 Increasing the Authority Provisions:
Under a decision of the Cabinet, the provisions allocated for the Authority may be increase if the Authority
participates in humanitarian missions, performs relief operations or offers aids in excess of its available
financial capabilities.
Article 16 Opening a Special Account for the Authority:
The Authority funds shall be deposited at a national bank of the State. Subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, a special account may be opened for the Authority in any other State, provided that such account shall
be allocated for relief operations, helping the people affected by natural disasters, all other emergencies and all
aspects of humanitarian, health and social care, according to the Authority’s financial and accounting
regulations.
Article 17 Accounts of the Authority:
The Authority accounts shall be examined by one or more auditors according to the generally accepted
accounting principles. Such auditors shall submit their report to the Board of Directors within four months from
the date the fiscal year ends. No auditor may combine his work as an auditor and member of the Board or any
other work for the Authority.
Article 18 Preparing the Balance Sheet and Final Accounts:
The Board of Directors shall prepare the balance sheet and final accounts of the Authority and have the same
approved by the Authority President.
Article 19 Annual Report:
The Authority shall submit to the Cabinet an annual report about its operations, activities and the impediments it
counters.
Article 20 Character of the Authority Funds and Exemption from Prior Control:
The Authority funds shall be deemed public, whereupon the Authority shall be exempted from the prior control
of the audit bureau.
Article 21 Exemption from Taxes and Duties:
The Authority’s funds, property, procurements, relief materials, humanitarian aids sent by the international
movement to the Red Crescent and Red Cross by any external body shall be exempted from the different kinds
of taxes and duties prescribed in the State.
Chapter Four Sign of the Authority
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Article 22 Sign of the Red Crescent:
1. The Authority shall have a distinctive sign in the form of a Red Crescent on a white ground so that its edges
face the beholders.
2. The Authority’s sign shall be placed at its headquarters, branches and offices inside and outside the State. It
shall be also placed at the Authority’s property, buildings, projects and all its means of transport.
Chapter Five Punishments
Article 23 Crimes
Without prejudice to any punishment provided for in any other law, punishments provided for in the following
articles shall be inflicted for committing the crimes referred to therein:
Article 24 Using the Authority’s Name without Permission:
Whoever uses the Authority’s name or any similar naming without the Authority’s written permission shall be
punished by imprisonment and a fine not exceeding ten thousand Dirhams, or either punishment.
Article 25 Using the Authority’s Sign without any Right:
Whoever uses the Authority’s sign or the “Red Crescent” phrase without being authorized to do so and commits
an act that results in a person’s death shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of no less than one year.
Where such act results in causing damage to the safety or health of any person who trusts the sign or naming
bearer or thinks he performs a humanitarian action, the punishment shall be imprisonment.
Article 26 Using the sign without any right to collect donations in the Authority’s name:
Whoever uses the Red Crescent sign or the Red Crescent phrase illegally to collect funds or donations in the
name of Authority’s name or to allocate the same for the Authority shall be punished with imprisonment and a
fine of no less than five thousand Dirhams or by either punishment, and the due amounts shall be refunded to
the Authority. Attempting such crime shall be liable to the same punishment.
Article 27 Placing a Similar Sign without Permission:
Whoever places the Red Crescent sign or any other similar sign at stickers, advertisements, commercial
publications or stick the same on any materials in any manner without the Authority’s permission shall be
punished by a fine of no less than five thousand Dirhams.
Chapter Six General Provisions
Article 28 Preparing and Issuing the Authority Regulations:
The Board of Directors shall prepare the Authority’s general policies, statute, its personnel-related bylaws,
organizational chart, all organizational, administrative and financial regulations that shall be issued by the
Authority President.
Article 29 Continued Application of Current Laws and Regulations:
The statute, laws and regulations currently applied by the Red Crescent Society shall continue to apply pending
the issue of the laws and regulations referred to in Article 28 hereof. The Authority shall be considered a
continuation of the Red Crescent Society, and shall take over all the property, rights and obligations of such
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society.
Article 30 Canceling the Contravening and Contradicting Provisions:
Any provision contravening or contradicting the provisions hereof shall be cancelled.
Article 31 Publication in the Official Gazette:
This Law shall be published in the official gazette and shall apply as from the date of publication.
[Signed] Issued by us at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi
on 18 Jumada I, 1423 AH corresponding to 28 July 2002 AD.
Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
President of the United Arab Emirates
This federal law was published in the official gazette issue No. 384, page 22.
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