On International Human Rights Day, ICFUAE calls for the release of all political prisoners in the UAE

Marking the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, ICFUAE  calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience in the UAE. 

On this important occasion, ICFUAE also stresses that basic human rights are routinely abused by the UAE authorities. 

Dozens of human rights defenders and activists are constantly targeted for any form of dissent or criticism and meted out harsh punishments. 

The following are all violations under international human rights law: 

• Denial of freedom of expression

Freedom of expression is a basic human right violated by the government. In the UAE, the press is censored and civil society organisations and citizens are subject to intense monitoring and

surveillance. Any criticism of the government, its allies, or its ruling family can lead to imprisonment. In 2016 alone, 300 people were arrested for publishing comments on social media that were critical of the government or its ruling family.

• Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances

Arbitrary detention typically takes the form of an arrest without a warrant nor an explanation. Enforced disappearance consists of being held in a secret location without access to legal representation nor family visits. This exposes the subject to a heightened risk of torture and other ill-treatment because it provides the authorities with the power to behave with impunity

• Torture and other ill-treatment

Torture is often used by Emirati prison officials to force false confessions. Victims are not only physically assaulted but also psychologically humiliated, and denied access to medical care.

Although international law requires authorities to investigate all allegations of torture and declares that any abuses should be appropriately compensated, the UAE repeatedly refuses to

follow this procedure.

• Unfair trials

Unfair trials include the denial of any legal assistance or refusal to investigate allegations made by the defendant regarding torture. In the UAE, trials are often closed to international media or independent observers. Furthermore, being controlled by the government, the judiciary lacks independence and therefore cannot guarantee the defendant an objective trial.

• Citizenship revocation

Citizenship revocation, travel bans, and deportations are employed as tools to crack down on activists and their family members. Revoking someone’s citizenship affects their ability to travel, to hold a job, open a bank account, drive, and even go to school. By making people stateless in their own country, the practice contravenes the UN Declaration of Human Rights by denying the 'Right to Nationality’.