More insights into the Razeen prison

Al Razeen Prison is often referred to as the Guantanamo prison of the UAE. It detains mostly political prisoners and has been used extensively since the UAE94 trials, which led to the imprisonment of social and political activists who campaign for reform in the country following the petition they submitted to the ruling authorities.

Al Razeen prison is located 100 km from Abu Dhabi and currently holds an estimated 100 inmates. In 2012 the UAE authorities appeared to have improved the conditions of the prison, for the Prime Minister went to inspect the conditions and declared them to be safe. However, despite these claims, there remains serious concern about the conditions of the prison as UAE authorities continue to breach international law, especially as their treatment of the inmates are not being held in line with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Prisoners Treatment. 

A number of detainees being held there are those convicted during the UAE 94 trial. 

The prison conditions are notoriously poor and there have been numerous concerns raised about the treatment that detainees face in the prison. The latter have worryingly reported the use of extreme torture from beatings, hair and nails being pulled, to threats of rape and daily psychological nightmares.