The UAE's Secret Prison Network in Yemen

In March 2016, a year after the Saudi-led coalition’s invasion of the country, 15,000 UAE-backed troops occupied Southern Yemen.

Shortly after, satellite imagery of the region revealed at least 18 secret, UAE-run prisons across the Aden and Bureiqa districts.

It later emerged:

These unofficial prison networks hold hundreds of detainees on grounds of perceived opposition to the government of the United Arab Emirates.

Prisoners were not informed of the reasons for their arrest, were not charged, were denied access to lawyers and held incommunicado for prolonged or indefinite periods. Some remain missing.

Torture and mistreatment of prisoners

Inmates across the prison networks have been subjected to extreme psychological and physical violence, including, but not limited to: rape, electrocution, waterboarding and sleep deprivation - all illegal practices under international law.

One prisoner told the Associated Press: “They tortured me without even accusing me of anything. Sometimes I wish they would give me a charge, so I can confess and end this pain. The worst thing about it is that I wish for death every day, and I can’t find it.”

Detainees have been beaten with electric cables, wooden bats and steel poles during interrogation sessions.

49 prisoners have reportedly died as a result of torture.

On inspection of the prisons, UN investigators found poor hygienic conditions, limited ventilation, confined spaces and enforced sleep deprivation.

In September 2018, the prisoners went on hunger strike demanding basic human rights.