Advocacy / United Arab Emirates
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.
Alaa Al-Siddiq, freedom fighter
One year ago, the human rights community was shocked to hear of the death of Emirati human rights defender Alaa Al-Siddiq in a tragic car accident, the day after she celebrated her 33rd birthday. We, the undersigned organisations, are taking the occasion of her birthday to announce the designation of this day, 18 June, as “Alaa Al-Siddiq Day”.
Detainees of conscience in UAE prisons
Joint letter calling on the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to intervene immediately in favour of the release of prisoners of conscience.
UAE: Call for the release of Amina al-Abdouli and Maryam al-Balushi on International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, MENA Rights Group joined NGOs in calling on the release of Amina al-Abdouli and Maryam al-Balushi, who have been detained arbitrarily in the UAE since 2015.
Human rights NGOs call on the UAE to immediately repeal or amend its new Law on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrime
On January 2, 2022, the UAE’s new Law on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrime went into effect, replacing the Emirates’ former 2012 Law on Combatting Cybercrime. The new Law, however, further restricts free speech in the UAE and criminalises and imposes heavy prison sentences on acts that are protected under international law. In a joint statement providing a legal analysis of this new text, MENA Rights Group and 14 human rights organisations call on the UAE to immediately repeal or sufficiently amend the law.
Don’t sportswash human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the UAE: NGOs write to Formula One CEO ahead of Grand Prix
In a joint letter, 16 human rights organisations call on the CEO of Formula One Group to end sportswashing ahead of the Grand Prix that will take place in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in December 2021 and, instead, to use this event as a platform to highlight human rights violations perpetrated by these regimes.