Indefinite Detention: The UAE continues to consistently fail to release prisoners of conscience past their release date.

While many people around the world will be enjoying the festivities this holiday season, many political prisoners will remain behind bars in the UAE beyond the duration of their original sentence.

To this day, the practice of indefinite detention remains prevalent in the UAE, with authorities repeatedly failing to clarify why prisoners are being detained indefinitely. Their detention is extended under the Counter Terrorism Law with the pretence that they require ‘counselling’ before being released, although, there is no evidence to suggest that the detainees pose a terrorist threat to the state. Detainees being transferred to ‘counselling centres’ are not charged with any offence and are therefore robbed of a judicial verdict and the right to appeal. This not only breaches international human rights laws, but also violates the UAE’s own laws regarding fair trials and due process.

Most recently, Abdallah Ali Alhajery, Oman Alharethy and Mahmoud Alhoseny were due for release on 16 July after completion of their 7 year prison sentences. However, they continue to be detained in Abu Dhabi’s Al Razeen prison joining 8 other prisoners whose sentences have expired. Al-Razeen prison is notorious for its inhumane living conditions and the use of torture, including physical and psychological abuse at the hands of warders. 

ENDS

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