United Arab Emirates - Latest Press Releases

Letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Upcoming Meeting with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

UAE - News | 25 April 2013
Dear Prime Minister,

We are writing to urge you to express the UK government's grave concern in relation to human rights abuses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when you meet the country's president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the course of his forthcoming state visit to the United Kingdom.

The UAE's discriminatory and disproportionate response to peaceful criticism, its severe violations of due process and fair trial rights, and credible reports of torture – including the alleged torture of three British nationals – warrants a strong response from the UK government.

UAE: Another Al-Islah member disappeared as the 'UAE94' trial continues

UAE - News | 22 April 2013
The Emirati authorities should immediately release Abdulwahed Al Shuhi or place him under the protection of the law.

On 26 March 2013 - the day of the 5th hearing of the 'UAE94' – Abdulwahed Al Shuhi, a member of the Al Islah movement, was arrested at his office Dubai by police officers. One month later, his whereabouts remain unknown. His story recalls the cases of other Al Islah activists who are not amongst the 'UAE94' but who have been disappeared for several weeks.

Considering previous reports of torture made by some of the UAE94, Alkarama expresses grave concerns for the mental and physical well being of Mr Al Shuhi as he remains at high risk of torture and ill-treatment while disappeared.

UAE: Son of defendant sentenced to 10 months in prison for reporting on 'UAE94' trial

UAE - News | 11 April 2013
UAE_Abdullah_Al_Hadidi
On 8 April 2013, Abdulhamid Al Hadidi, the son of one of the 'UAE94' defendants and social activist, was sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Abu Dhabi Court of first instance for "tweeting false information" about the hearings in the 'UAE94' trial. Alkarama firmly condemns the excessive nature of the verdict based on new cybercrimes law No. 5/2012 and clearly related to his exercise of right to freedom of expression.

UAE: Unfair Mass Trial of 94 Dissidents

UAE - News | 03 April 2013
Investigate Allegations of Torture, Grant Public Access to Sessions

(Beirut)– The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have compounded serious pre-trial violations of fair trial rights by arbitrarily denying family members, international observers, and the international media access to the mass trial of 94 critics of the government, a coalition of seven international human rights organizations said today. The organizations urged the UAE authorities to investigate allegations of torture and to grant full public access to trial sessions.

UAE: Al Islah Activist – not amongst the 'UAE94' - disappeared for 3 months

UAE - News | 26 March 2013
DubaiAirport
Saud Kulaib Al Tenaiji is not amongst the group known as the 'UAE94', the 94 activists who are currently facing unfair mass trial before Abu Dhabi Federal Supreme Court. However, he is a political activist from the Al Islah movement who has been disappeared for almost 3 months. Since his arrest at Dubai International airport on 29 December 2012 by Emirati security forces, his family remains unaware of his whereabouts and the authorities refuse to acknowledge his detention. Alkarama fears for Mr Al Tenaiji's physical and mental integrity as several of the 'UAE94' reported having been tortured while in secret detention.

UAE - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

No

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 19.07.2012
Optional Protocol: No
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): No
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

State report: Overdue since 19.10.2013 (1st)
Last concluding observations: -

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

No

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 11.2013 (2nd cycle)
Next review: -

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

No