Country: United Arab Emirates

While the United Arab Emirates markets itself as a progressive economic safe-haven and cultural hub in the region, with offshoots of New York and Sorbonne University, as well as the Louvre museum, the human rights reality on the ground stands at stark contrast.

Freedom of opinion and expression is severely limited by a restrictive legal framework, including the Cybercrime Law, the Law on Combating Terrorist Crimes and the Penal Code, making critical civil society space non-existent. Human rights defenders and peaceful dissidents face harsh reprisals for their activism, often in the form of arbitrary detention. Torture is systematically practised to obtain confessions that are later used as the sole evidence at trial to sentence individuals to long prison terms.

Regionally, the UAE adopts an interventionist approach within the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, where it consolidated its control over large areas in the south of the country, controlling the seaport, airport, military checkpoints and some official as well as unofficial detention centres.

Joint statement condemning the inclusion of four Emirati activists and members of the UAE 94 on the UAE terrorism list

In a joint statement with nine other organisations, MENA Rights Group condemns the inclusion of four Emirati activists and members of the UAE 94 on the UAE terrorism list. In their statement, the undersigned organisations call on the UAE to immediately and unconditionally remove the activists’ names from the terrorism list and to immediately and […]

Withdraw from UAE Dubai Expo and Condemn UAE’s War in Yemen: Letter to Governments and Business Executives

September 2, 2021 Heads of State and Senior Government Officials: Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne, Australia Ambassador to UAE Heidi Venamore Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmés, Ambassador to UAE Peter Claes President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, […]

Withdraw from UAE Dubai Expo and Condemn UAE’s Violation of Women’s Rights: Letter to Governments and Business Executives

A coalition of rights groups mourns the death of outstanding Emirati human rights activist Alaa Al Siddiq

Following the devastating passing of prominent Emirati human rights defender Alaa Al Siddiq, MENA Rights Group joined partner NGOs in expressing our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

“UAE94” detainee Abdulsalam al-Marzooqi recharged with establishing a terrorist organisation during the “UAE 84” mass trial

In March 2011, the UAE carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah). In 2013, the UAE then engaged in a controversial mass trial of 94 individuals commonly referred to as the “UAE94”; 94 intellectuals, activists, and human rights defenders who had openly criticised the Emirati government. All of them were […]

27 NGOs urge Sheikh Zayed Book Awards winners to reject prize

On Monday May 10, a coalition of 27 NGOs jointly called on the recipients of the Sheikh Zayed Book Awards to reject their prize, withdraw from the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and stand in solidarity with prisoners of conscience in the UAE.

Abdullah Al Shamsi faces severe restrictions following over two and a half years of arbitrary detention

Abdullah Awad Salim Al Shamsi, was attending high school in the United Arab Emirates when he was arrested by state security forces, without a warrant, at 11 a.m. on August 18, 2018. Al Shamsi was subsequently held incommunicado in a secret detention facility for over six months, before being transferred to Al Wathba prison, Abu […]

Detainee Hassan al-Jabri re-charged on new terrorism charges during the “UAE 84” mass trial

In March 2011, the UAE carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah). Al-Jabri saw his citizenship revoked on December 4, 2011, as did many other activists that called for increased political participation and constitutional reform earlier in 2011. In 2013, the UAE then engaged in a controversial mass trial of […]

“UAE94” detainee Khalid al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi resentenced for allegedly establishing a terrorist organisation in “UAE84” new mass trial

“UAE94” detainee Mohammed Al Sidiq detained indefinitely under pretext of “rehabilitation needs”

In March 2011, the UAE carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Reform and Social Guidance Association (Al Islah). Al Sidiq, a member of Al Islah himself, and a political dissident, saw his citizenship revoked on December 4, 2011, as did many other activists that called for increased political participation and constitutional reform earlier in […]