Open letter to the Emirati government: Stop Indefinite Detention

Your Excellency, Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al Nahyane

We, the undersigned, call upon the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to end the systemic policy of indefinite detention against political prisoners and immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience that have been subjected to indefinite detention. 

Indefinite detention is the incarceration of prisoners beyond their release date, without trial or due process. As of May 2022, 19 prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for simply exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, continue to be detained in the UAE after serving their full original sentence. 

The continued detention of political activists beyond their original sentences, without legal basis, breaches both international human rights norms as well as the UAE’s own laws regarding fair trials and due process.

After their release date, prisoners are transferred to “Munasaha centres'' or “counselling centres,” which are found within the prison facility itself. This enables regulation of prisoners’ rights regarding calls and visits to be applied to detainees, preventing them from contact with the outside world. 

Munasaha centres, as defined in Article 1 of the UAE’s counterterrorism law, are aimed at the “enlightenment and reform” of prisoners suspected of posing a “terrorist threat” to the state and society. Under this pretext, Emirati authorities can use such centres as a political tool to silence all forms of criticism against the government. Moreover, the counterterrorism law sets no time limit for indefinite detention.

Those who have been moved to such centres, under a court order or an administrative decision, have not been charged with any offence and are therefore unable to appeal a judicial verdict. Furthermore, the UAE continuously fails to provide prisoners who are indefinitely detained with the right to a fair trial and access to legal counsel prior to being transferred.

The Emirati government must recognise and enforce its constitutional responsibility to respect and support human rights. In light of the aforementioned injustices, which pose a threat to the UAE’s global reputation, we implore the UAE authorities to not only guarantee to cease the practice of indefinite detention, but to ensure the unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience. With the sentences of many of the UAE 94 prisoners due to expire, including that of Dr Mohammed Al-Roken who is to be released on 17th July 2022, it is imperative that their original release dates are respected.

Pending this, we urge the UAE government to demonstrate their commitment to upholding human rights and comply with international standards for prisoners by granting detainees being held indefinitely with regular family visits, counsellor visits and consultations with their lawyers.

Yours Sincerely,

ICFUAE