11. As stated by the CEDAW, Article 9 among others is “central to the object and purpose of the Convention and that the reservations impact negatively on the enjoyment by women of their rights.”9 Therefore, the maintenance of nationality laws which discriminate on the basis of gender are themselves in conflict with the object and purpose of the CEDAW and with the general obligation of all state parties to “agree to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women.”10 12. The UAE is not party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness or the1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and CEDAW recommended that the UAE accede to all of these treaties.11 13. In terms of the arbitrary deprivation of nationality, the report of the Secretary-General on ‘Human rights and arbitrary deprivation of nationality’12 discusses the regulation of loss and deprivation of nationality, particularly emphasising that ‘Any interference with the enjoyment of nationality has a significant impact on the enjoyment of rights. Therefore, loss or deprivation of nationality must meet certain conditions in order to comply with international law, in particular the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality.’13 Gender discrimination in nationality law 14. Article 2 of the United Arab Emirates: Federal Law No. 17 for 1972 Concerning Nationality states that a citizen is: B. Anyone born in the country or abroad to a father who is a citizen by law. C. Anyone born in the country or abroad to a mother who is a citizen by law, whose fatherhood is not substantiated. D. Anyone born in the country or abroad to a mother who is a citizen by law, whose father is unknown or without nationality. Emirati law is therefore based on paternal jus sanguinis, nationality is transferred through an Emirati male, although some exceptions exist for females. 15. A decree issued in November 2011 by President, Sheikh Khalifa, gives children of Emirati women married to non-Emiratis the opportunity to apply for citizenship when they reach the age of 18. When this decree was announced it resulted in the acquisition of Emirati nationality by 1,117 children born to Emirati women married to foreigners.14 However, this 9 The CEDAW Committee has noted this on a number of occasions and in Concluding Recommendations for State Parties under review, including in CEDAW/C/ARE/CO/1, para 16. 10 Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Eighteenth and nineteenth sessions), A/53/38/Rev.1, page 47. 11 UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Submission by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees For the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' Compilation Report - Universal Periodic Review: United Arab Emirates, June 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4ffd31262.htm 12 OHCHR, Secretary-General ‘Human rights and arbitrary deprivation of nationality’2013 13 A detailed report of the impact of deprivation of nationality on the enjoyment of human rights is contained in A/HRC/19/43. 14 UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Submission by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees For the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' Compilation Report - Universal Periodic Review: United Arab Emirates, June 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4ffd31262.htm