UAE Prisoners of Conscience: Undermining Talent and Social Cohesion
Human rights advocates argue that the ongoing arbitrary arrests and repression in the UAE, particularly concerning the expression of opinions and peaceful opposition, have led to excessive government control, sidelining national talents and weakening the country’s social structure.
The “UAE Detainees Advocacy Center” spotlighted the case of Dr. Saif Mohamed Al-Ajlah, a prominent national figure whose contributions left a lasting mark on the UAE’s institutional development.
In 2006, the Al-Bayan newspaper celebrated Al-Ajlah’s appointment as Acting Director General of the Marriage Fund, highlighting his effective leadership in overcoming the fund’s chronic financial struggles and setting the stage for a new era of growth and stability.
Al-Ajlah, with his distinguished academic background, including a PhD in leadership behavior from the University of Wales, and extensive professional experience, has been a model of successful management and public service.
Despite his impressive achievements, Dr. Saif Al-Ajlah became a target of repression, reflecting the troubling decline of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the UAE.
The center argued that his arrest is part of a broader trend of targeting reform-minded individuals and national talents at a time when the country should be focusing on fostering dialogue and expanding freedoms, not suppressing them.
The center condemned the continued detention of Dr. Saif Al-Ajlah without clear legal justification and asserted that such actions violate the UAE’s international human rights commitments.
It warned that the persecution of skilled individuals harms sustainable development and deprives society of the intellectual resources needed to advance.
The center called for the immediate release of Dr. Saif Al-Ajlah and all prisoners of conscience in the UAE, urging the government to respect their rights to a fair trial and basic human dignity.
The center also appealed to the international community and human rights organizations to exert pressure on the UAE authorities to halt these repressive policies and work towards a society that values freedom of expression and human rights.
The center emphasized that continued violations of this nature risk further marginalizing national talents and fragmenting the social fabric at a time when global progress depends on respecting individual rights and freedoms as fundamental building blocks for a just and stable future.
