UAE’s Tolerance Campaign Labeled Misleading by Human Rights Organization
Human Rights Watch Criticizes UAE’s Use of Cultural and Sporting Events to Obscure Human Rights Violations
Human Rights Watch has strongly condemned the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for leveraging high-profile cultural and sporting events, including its partnerships with the NBA, to mask widespread human rights abuses occurring both within its borders and internationally.
In a detailed statement reported by Emirates Leaks, the organization criticized the UAE’s strategy of hosting prestigious events, such as the NBA preparatory games held in Abu Dhabi in October 2024 and a subsequent event in Detroit on November 12. These events, according to Human Rights Watch, are part of a calculated effort to craft an image of openness and tolerance on the global stage.
However, this carefully curated narrative is overshadowed by the UAE’s troubling human rights record. The statement drew attention to allegations that the UAE provides arms and logistical support to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of perpetrating crimes against humanity and acts of genocide in Darfur. Reports suggesting the existence of an air bridge between the UAE and Chad, ostensibly for humanitarian purposes, have raised further suspicions about the UAE’s role in fueling conflict in the region.
Beyond its international activities, the UAE’s domestic policies reveal a similarly concerning picture. Human Rights Watch highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance approach to dissent, both online and offline, which has resulted in the imprisonment of at least 44 human rights defenders and political dissidents. These individuals have faced lengthy prison sentences, often handed down following trials criticized for severe due process violations.
The plight of migrant workers, who form the backbone of the UAE’s workforce, was also underscored in the report. These workers face systemic labor abuses, including unpaid wages, exorbitant recruitment fees, restricted job mobility, and passport confiscation. The country’s sponsorship system, known as “kafala,” further entrenches these exploitative practices by tying workers’ legal status to their employers, leaving them vulnerable to abuse.
Human Rights Watch also turned its attention to the NBA, criticizing the association for its failure to publicly address the UAE’s rights violations. By partnering with the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the NBA risks complicity in what the organization described as “sportswashing” — using sports to deflect attention from human rights abuses. The report called on the NBA to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which require organizations to implement policies that identify and mitigate risks of enabling rights violations.
The UAE’s dual strategy of promoting a progressive image abroad while systematically suppressing freedoms at home has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and observers worldwide. As the UAE continues to expand its global influence through high-profile partnerships and events, Human Rights Watch’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and transparency.
