In another act of doublespeak, the UAE creates a 'Ministry of Possibilities'

The UAE on Tuesday revealed a new branch of government, the Ministry of Possibilities, amid concerns that the Gulf state is continuing its tradition of "doublespeak".

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the UAE's prime minister and ruler of Dubai, said the ministry would function "without a minister" but with input from the whole cabinet.

"We launched the world's first virtual 'Ministry of Possibilities', a new government work system in the UAE," al-Maktoum said on Twitter.

"The virtual ministry, administered by the cabinet, will address pressing national portfolios and build future government systems."

The Dubai government's media office said the move will cut waiting times for government services.

"Future challenges require the constant development of the government structure... and impossible is not in our dictionary," the UAE prime minister said.

In 2016, the UAE has already created ministries of happiness and tolerance. Abu Dhbai soon came under fire from human rights groups and activists for alleged "doublespeak", when the Emirati population and expatriates suffer from gross human rights violations.

Amnesty International's annual report for 2016/2017, said that Emirati authorities carried out arbitrary arrests, restriction on freedoms, while discrimination against women remained rife.

"The authorities continued to arbitrarily restrict the rights to freedom of expression and association, detaining and prosecuting government critics, opponents and foreign nationals under criminal defamation and anti-terrorism laws. Enforced disappearances, unfair trials and torture and other ill-treatment of detainees remained common," Amnesty said in the report.

Following new amendments to the country's labour law announced this month, women expatriates must now earn around three times as much as men to bring their children to the country.

UAE remained part of the Saudi-led international coalition engaged in armed conflict in Yemen, where more than 10,000 people have been killed, according to World Health Organisation, with human rights groups saying the figure could be at least five times higher.  

UAE was part of an alliance, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, that has been imposing an economic and diplomatic embargo on Qatar since June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting extremist groups and being too close to Iran. Doha strongly denies the claims.

The coalition issued a list of demands that Qatar had to adhere to in order for the blockade to be lifted, including closing media outlets including Al Jazeera.