On International Women's Day, Free Maryam al-Balushi and Amina al-Abdouli

As the world marks the International Women's Day, two female prisoners of conscience are still held behind UAE bars beyond their release dates.

In November 2020, female prisoners of conscience Maryam al-Balushi and Amina al-Abdouli were due to be released from prison, after serving their five-year sentences in Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi.

However, Maryam and Amina remain imprisoned beyond their release dates and the UAE government has offered no signs of their release in the immediate future. 

The arrest of Maryam followed after she donated to a Syrian family in need, and Amina’s arrest followed after she expressed support for the Arab Spring on Twitter.

Both individuals endured unfair trials by being denied full access to lawyers, as well as being secretly detained and beaten prior to any official charges being made. 

In addition, they have been continually subjected to beatings and ill-treatment throughout their imprisonment, in addition to being denied basic needs such as sanitary towels, food and clean water which was evidenced in leaked recordings and letters.

Whilst this day symbolises empowerment for many women around the world, women in the UAE remain oppressed under a political framework firmly built upon unequal gendered values.