UAE-UK relationship and human rights concerns

Companies owned by UAE nationals, have been heavily investing in projects across the UK which has established a very strong and solid economic relationship between the two countries. In this context Flick Drummond, the Conservative MP for Portsmouth, claimed that the UK would more likely stand in support of the human rights concerns because of its position as a good friend of the UAE.

However several activists seem to not share the same opinion. Ahmed Mansoor, activist and  Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders Laureate, explained that the UK hasn't made any efforts to voice disapproval over the human rights scepticism and concerns. In his turn David Haigh , UK citizen, described how he underwent a brutal treatment  whilst in custody in the UAE and yet the FCO and the British embassy were "abysmal" in their support of him.

On the other hand, Family of Lee Bradly Brown revealed during the The File on 4 programme how he had been severely beaten prior to his death in custody in the UAE. The Brown family explained that they are waiting for the conclusions of a further inquest due in January 2017. 

FCO Ministers are obviously implicitly declaring to the public that human rights are indeed not a top priority in the policy of the British foreign office and that their focus is mainly put on their trading relationships with other countries. This obviously answers many questions regarding the unheard calls of campaigners raising concerns about human rights violations in the UAE.

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez,  was unable to freely investigate the torture-related allegations in the UAE despite his several attempts and requests. Mr Mendez also drew attention over the fact that  "when a country is wealthy...it stands to reason that other countries will look the other way". In this context Mr Mendez noted that the "UK would be failing to live up to its obligations as a major member of the international community" if it chose not to get involved in raising concerns about human rights-related issues.