Members of Alkarama's legal department travelled to the United Arab Emirates from 11-16 April 2009. The purpose of the visit was to follow up on certain cases and to consider the human rights situation in the U.A.E in order to better understand and evaluate the situation in the country.

Alkarama has received a number of cases from the U.A.E raising human rights concerns which we have submitted with the relevant United Nations Special Procedures. We have also raised them with the U.A.E Permanent Mission in Geneva. The cases include:

1.     Mr Naji Hamdan (DOB 26 May 1966, Lebanese origin, US citizen), Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi;

2.      Mr Mansoor Jassem Al Shamsi (DOB 5 May 1965, U.A.E national), Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi ;

3.     Mr Abdullah Sultan Sabihat Al ALILI (DOB 1960, U.A.E National), Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi;

4.      Mr Hassan Mohammed Hassan al- Diqqi (DOB 3 January 1957, U.A.E national) Sharjah Central prison, Sharjah;

5.      Mr Khelil Abdurrahmna Junahi (DOB 1971, Bahraini national), detained by security services under the control of the Ministry of Interior.

Alkarama met with relevant parties including the individuals' families and lawyers, as well as government officials including the Federal Attorney General. Prosecutor General and the State Security Prosecutor based in Abu Dhabi. The visit built relations based on cooperation and dialogue with all parties. Regrettably, despite formal requests Alkarama was unable to meet with the above individuals who were detained at the time of the visit. Alkarama is formally following up on our requests to visit these individuals, with the Minister of Justice, the Federal Attorney General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Geneva Permanent Mission.

Alkarama considers the U.A.E. to have significant potential for progress in the field of human rights. According to its recent statements to the Human Rights Council during its Universal Periodic Review in March 2009, the U.A.E has recognized the importance of giving meaningful effect to the respect for and promotion of human rights. We commend efforts to establish a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles and encourage consideration of acceding to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment.