‘UAE 94’ detainees denied family visits during Ramadan

‘UAE 94’ detainees denied family visits during Ramadan

Al-Razeen prison authorities imposed strict restrictions on family visits to prisoners of conscience during Eid al-Fitr, the ICJHR, a Geneva-based NGO, has revealed.

According to the sources, power and phone lines had been cut off during family visits on multiple occasions. Most prisoners’ families have to endure long journeys to get to Al-Razeen prison, which lies in the middle of the Abu Dhabi dessert.

Hundreds of political activists, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and bloggers are currently detained in the notorious prison, which is often referred to as the Guantanamo of the UAE. It is home to many of the ‘UAE 94’ detainees, a group of political activists convicted in 2013 with plotting to bring down the government after signing a petition calling for democratic reforms.

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.

ICFUAE urgently call on the Emirati authorities to adhere to the UN’s minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, which guarantees family visitation rights. To ensure this is being met, the UAE authorities should allow international observers access to Al-Razeen prison to monitor conditions. 

ENDS

  1. For more information or comment please contact the ICFUAE team on joe@icfuae.org.uk or 07979 6666 98
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