Al-Razeen prison authorities ban family visits for prisoners of conscience

Emirati prisoners of conscience held in al-Razeen prison continue to be denied their legitimate right to receive family visits, rights sources revealed.

The facility, which lies in the desert around 100km outside of Abu Dhabi, is home to scores of political prisoners, and has been dubbed the Guantánamo of the UAE by human rights activists for its degrading conditions and poor treatment of inmates. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the International Center for Justice and Human Rights (ICJHR) expressed deep concerns over al-Razeen prison authorities’ decision to ban family visits for prisoners of conscience without prior notice.

Detainees in al-Razeen prison have to endure very difficult detention conditions including overcrowding, poor hygiene, very high temperatures and inadequate food and water.

The Emirati authorities fail to adhere to the UN's standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, which afford basic rights for prison inmates, such as regular access to family, adequate medical care, food, clean drinking water and other amenities. Furthermore, the UAE authorities must allow UN working groups and special rapporteurs access to the facility, a request that has been denied on numerous occasions.