UAE: No political prisoners included in National Day pardon

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered the release of 870 prisoners on Sunday, ahead of the country's 50th National Day on 2nd December, according to the state news agency WAM.

The president’s annual pardon is a humanitarian gesture granted to prisoners prior to religious or national occasions to allow them to start afresh and reintegrate into society.  This year’s pardon was allegedly offered to provide released inmates with an opportunity to start a new life and bring joy to their families.

However, dozens of political prisoners, imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, have been excluded from the pardon and continue to languish behind bars, demonstrating the UAE’s disregard for human rights.