Horrific Reality of Political Convictions in UAE Criticized by UN Expert
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has decried the “appalling reality of political convictions” targeting peaceful dissidents in the UAE, criticizing Abu Dhabi’s relentless crackdown on calls for reform and rights advocacy.
Lawlor’s remarks came during a seminar organized by a European human rights institute, addressing the UAE’s use of anti-terrorism laws to detain 43 dissidents and impose harsh prison sentences for exercising freedom of expression.
According to Lawlor, the UAE’s vague definition of terrorism enables it to impose severe punishments, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty, on peaceful critics without evidence of violent acts.
The UN official condemned the July 10, 2024, conviction of 43 human rights defenders in the UAE, describing it as a clear violation of their fundamental rights, especially as the verdict followed years of arbitrary detention and a retrial.
During the seminar, Emirati dissident Ahmed Al-Nuaimi shared a powerful account of the systematic repression carried out by UAE authorities against political opponents and their families.
Al-Nuaimi described widespread denial of basic freedoms and recounted his own experience, as well as that of his brother, who was sentenced to life imprisonment among the 43 dissidents.
He underscored the dangers of using terrorism accusations to stifle peaceful pro-democracy advocates and called for international exposure and condemnation of these violations.
Al-Nuaimi appealed to the global community to take meaningful action in supporting the unconditional release of all political prisoners in the UAE.
Human Rights Watch and other international organizations have accused the UAE of pursuing policies designed to keep political detainees imprisoned indefinitely.
Despite the expiration of prison terms in the “secret organization” case, which led to the detention of dozens in 2012, new charges were brought against the detainees last year. Many of them have now been held for over 12 years.
The UAE judiciary rebranded the detainees in the case as members of the “Committee of Justice and Dignity,” labeling it as a new legal matter to circumvent existing laws.
Legal experts argue that this practice violates Article 19 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which prohibits double jeopardy and guarantees the right to demand release in such cases. A December statement by 43 rights organizations reaffirmed this principle.
