Arsenal Fans Say NO to Torture in the UAE

Hundreds of Arsenal fans were reached by ICFUAE on Saturday, 24th September in a campaign to raise awareness of the use of torture in UAE prisons.

In 2012 Arsenal football club accepted a controversial £150 million deal with the Emirates, which has been its official sponsor since 2004. Although promoting investment into UK businesses, the deal overlooks the UAE’s dodgy clampdown on human rights such as freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

In their latest report, Amnesty International (AI) found that “torture and other ill-treatment of detainees was common”. Although the UAE authorities deny these allegations, they have systematically failed to conduct independent investigations as recommended by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. AI and other human rights organisations have called for the end of the use of torture, as well as enforced disappearances and violations of prisoners rights, which contravene international laws.

In a recent letter to Manchester City football club, which is also owned by the Emirates, Manchester residents and institutions have expressed their concerns over their commercial ties with countries that violate human rights. Now, it is Arsenal’s turn to review their stand in relation to human rights, as their fans condemn the use of torture in UAE prisons.