ICFUAE and Cambridge University Law Society hold panel discussion on human rights violations in UAE

The UAE's human rights record was placed under the spotlight at an event at Cambridge University yesterday evening as a panel of experts rebuked the Emirati authorities for continued practices of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances.

Chaired by Joyce Hakmeh of Chatham House, the seminar, titled 'Outside the Law: Human Rights Violations in the UAE', was hosted by the Cambridge Law Society and organised by the International Campaign for Freedom in the UAE (ICFUAE). The panel consisted of academic, Christopher Davidson, Barrister, Pete Weatherby QC and human rights researcher Drewery Dyke.

Taking place just two days after the UAE underwent a human rights review at the United Nations in Geneva, Drewery Dyke heavily criticised Anwar Gargesh's opening statement that day in which the Emirati Foreign Minister claimed that the UAE were “on the path to advancement” with regards human rights. The rights researcher, formerly of Amnesty International, suggested that there was absolutely “no evidence” to back up the assertion, citing the prevalence of practices of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture in the UAE.

Pete Weatherby QC similarly refuted such claims, arguing that in reality the UAE have “no regard” for UN mechanisms and that the Emirati authorities merely “use UN systems to their own advantage.” The human rights barrister stated that although the UAE is a signatory to the UN's Convention Against Torture and the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, it refuses to sign the operational protocol which would allow some form of effective application of the conventions. Weatherby concluded with the assertion that the UAE “appears to have little regard for the underlying framework” of UN protections and international law.

Mapping possible future trajectories, reader in Middle Eastern Politics and UAE specialist, Christopher Davidson, suggested that the internet still constitutes a key battleground in the struggle for democratic reforms and accountability in the UAE. Although conceding that in recent years the Emirati authorities have co-opted such technologies for surveillance purposes, Davidson argued that social media and peer to peer networking still had the potential to be a powerful emancipatory force in the country.

Dyke was less optimistic. Alluding to the stifling nature of control that currently holds sway over such technologies in the UAE, he raised the cases of Ahmed Mansoor and other human rights activists who have been arbitrarily detained, forcefully disappeared and imprisoned for their social media activity. Since the institution of the 'Cybercrime Law' in 2012, the provisions of which effectively criminalise online dissent of the regime, scores of people have been detained in the UAE for comments made on social media websites.

Last nights event once again reaffirmed the urgent need for reforms in the United Arab Emirates, whereby political, civil, and judicial processes are bought in line with international human rights legislation. In order for this to happen, the Emirati authorities must start taking UN processes and mechanisms seriously by engaging meaningfully with the relevant bodies and treaties to bring about the much needed change in the country.

- For more information, press queries or comment, please contact the ICFUAE team at joe@icfuae.org.uk or 44 7979 6666 98