142 NGOs call for release of Emirati activist Ahmed Mansoor

Amnesty International has today released an open letter, co-signed by 142 NGOs, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoner of conscience Ahmed Mansoor. 

Mansoor, a respected member of the human rights community and recipient of the prestigious Martin Ennals human rights award, has recently embarked on his second hunger strike this year as he campaigns for his freedom. However, his health is rapidly declining and his life is in jeopardy.

Mansoor was arrested on March 20 2017 and subsequently held incommunicado for six months. He was denied access to a lawyer and had little contact with his family. On May 29, 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and received a fine of 1,000,000 UAE Dirhams (US$272,000) for publishing tweets that were deemed by the regime to portray the UAE as a “lawless land.” 

As the UAE’s self-proclaimed ‘Year of Tolerance’ draws to a close, it is imperative that the government abide by the principle of tolerance and agree to release Mansoor immediately and unconditionally. 

ICFUAE Statement:

“For too long now, Ahmed Mansoor has been kept in appalling conditions and denied his natural and fundamental rights. As his health declines and his life is put at risk, the international community has an obligation to take a stance and facilitate his unconditional release.”

ENDS

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