Annual Report 2016: Human Rights in UAE

This report outlines the main issues faced by human rights defenders in the UAE which haven’t changed much during 2015 despite many promises of the government.

It also portrays how the UAE uses its influence to hide these serious human rights problems by silencing any dissident consolidated by its membership of the Human Rights Council.

Rather than protecting human rights defenders and promoting their work at a time when their role in peace building is so desperately needed, the authorities arbitrarily restricted freedom of expression, arresting and prosecuting those human rights defenders and government critics.

New laws have appeared such as cyber-crime laws, and clamped down on on-line expression; curtailing digital rights and hatred imposed further limits on the rights to freedom of expression and association. Security forces subjected dozens of people to enforced disappearance throughout 2015. Torture and other ill-treatment of detainees were common. Prisoners of conscience remained imprisoned following unfair trials.

In 2015, the ICJHR regularly reported cases in which people are tortured, illegally arrested, imprisoned, detained or forcibly disappeared. Such cases highlight the fact that the UAE does not respect its international obligations and statements.

Despite these challenging environment human rights defenders continue their work tirelessly, refusing to be silenced through intimidation, harassment or detention. 

To get a copy of the report, click here: http://ic4jhr.org/en/activites/reports/413-annual-report-2016-human-rights-in-uae-3.html