Trial Observation report: Case Number 17/2013 in The United Arab Emirates (UAE94)

The report summarises that the proximity of the prosecution and judge, the failure to provide the defence with the prosecution's evidence in a timely manner, and the disparity of approach by the tribunal between the defence and the prosecution lawyers are all factors which lead to a conclusion that the defendants have not been afforded a fair trial.

Thus, this report documents the first two hearings in the trial of 94 intellectuals, activists, and human rights defenders, took place before the Special Security Court within the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 4 and 11 March 2013. 

A coalition of four human rights organisations - the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) - appointed observer Melanie Gingell, a barrister of England and Wales to monitor and report on the hearings. 

However, it prevented international legal observers from entering the court to monitor the proceedings. Members of the international media were also denied entry.

Therefore, the report concludes that: 
1. The judge has failed in his duty to investigate credible allegations of torture of the defendants whilst in pre-trial detention.
2. The trial is proceeding in violation of internationally recognised standards of a fair trial.

* Published on March 2013 By GCHR, FIDH, ANHRI, & CIHRS organisations 

To get a copy of this report, click here: https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/uae_94_trial_observation_report_english_25_03_2013.pdf