Advocacy / United Arab Emirates
UAE reject 40% of the recommendations made during its Universal Periodic Review
This press release highlights the UAE's response to recommendations made by UN member states during its Universal Periodic Review before the Human Rights Council. The UAE rejected 40% of recommendations, including a total rejection of recommendations related to freedom of expression/association and the ratification of the UN Convention against Torture.
Joint letter calling on COP28 participating governments to address UAE human rights abuses
MENA Rights Group joined more than 200 global organisations to demand that the international community pursue accountability for the UAE’s track record of repressive behavior at home and abroad ahead of the COP28 climate conference.
Human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor must be released immediately: joint letter to the US Department of State
MENA Rights Group joins 18 civil society organisations in urging the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to call on UAE officials to immediately and uncondtionally release Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor.
UAE: Release all those unjustly imprisoned before COP28
A joint appeal from 20+ organisations urging the UAE authorities to release all those unjustly imprisoned in the country, including human rights defenders, lawyers and dissidents, before the start of COP28 in Expo City Dubai between 30 November and 12 December 2023.
Joint statement: UAE human rights record ahead of COP28
As part of the SANID campaign, MENA Rights Group was joined by 40+ rights organisations in calling on the UAE to end its assault on human rights and freedoms. Ahead of the COP28 in November 2023, we remain deeply concerned over the UAE's attempt to whitewash its human rights record.
Human rights organisations launch "SANID" campaign in solidarity with prisoners of conscience in the UAE
MENA Rights Group joins five human rights organisations in launching a campaign in solidarity with detainees in the UAE. The SANID campaign, which stands for "Stand Up for UAE Detainees", began on March 1, 2023, and calls on Emirati authorities to release all prisoners of conscience.
#FreeSherifOsman: UAE must not extradite political commentator to Egypt, where he would face torture
Following the arrest and detention in the UAE of Egyptian political commentator Sherif Osman, who faces the threat of extradition to Egypt, MENA Rights Group joins a coalition of 25 human rights organisations calling for his immediate release.
Joint Statement: President Biden's visit has a negative impact on human rights movement in the MENA region
The human rights movement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has paid a heavy price for the unlimited and unconditional support provided by the United Kingdom and United States to repressive governments across the region. The recent visit of US President Joe Biden has reinforced the practice of international relations that prioritises political and economic interests when dealing with repressive governments while turning a blind eye to human rights abuses at the expense of human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience.
The fight against torture in the United Arab Emirates requires significant changes in law and practice
Despite the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 2012, the practice of torture remains widespread in the UAE. On July 13 and 14, 2022, the UN Committee against Torture examined the UAE’s implementation of the provisions of the UNCAT for the first time.
United Arab Emirates: Free members of UAE94 and other prisoners of conscience
On the anniversary of the verdicts in the mass trial of prominent human rights defenders, lawyers, judges, academics and students known as the UAE94, we the undersigned call on allies of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to press the Emirati authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those convicted following a trial that lacked the most basic international standards necessary for a fair trial and due process. Many of those who were sentenced to ten years in prison are due for release this year, yet are being held past the end of their sentences.