Rights groups demand UAE authorities to release prisoners of conscience
Two human rights organizations announced the launch of an international campaign to demand the release of prisoners of conscience on the occasion of hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix next Sunday.
“Before the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, we ask them to urge the UAE authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience who have been convicted solely for their peaceful criticism of the UAE authorities or for promoting human rights in the country,” a campaign statement read.
“Formula 1 participants must be the voice of those who have been unjustly silenced and detained,” the statement added.
Among these prisoners of conscience is a prominent human rights defender, Ahmed Mansoor, who has worked extensively with international organizations to raise awareness of human rights violations in the UAE.
In May 2018, he was sentenced to ten years in prison for “defaming the UAE through social media channels.”
Mansoor was held in solitary confinement in a cell without a bed and access to books, sunlight or fresh air and was also beaten and abused by prison guards.
Mohammed Al-Roken, a prominent human rights lawyer, is another prisoner of conscience who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for signing an online petition calling for democratic reform in the UAE.
Al-Roken endured long solitary confinement and torture periods and was denied family visits or lawyers.
Al-Roken’s sentence is due to expire next year. We aim to ensure he is not subjected to indefinite detention, another common practice in the UAE used to silence political opponents.
Another important case is the case of Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, members of the Emirates 94 team, and prisoners of conscience Amina Al Abdouli and Maryam Al Balushi.
She urged the sentence to draw attention to the countless human rights violations in the UAE by joining the Twitter storm.
The statement reads: Post as many tweets as possible, heading to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in particular, and urging participants to help put an end to the practice of sports washing in the UAE, which includes governments that use sporting events to distract attention from their track record. in violation of human rights.”
The statement called for as many tweets to be posted throughout the day using #AbuDhabiGP, #F1 and #Formula1. Other important hashtags include #FreeAhmed, #FreeAlRoken, #FreeNasser, and #FreeUAE94.
