Communications ban on prisoners of conscience is grave human rights violation
The UAE regime deliberately isolates prisoners of conscience in its prisons from the outside world depriving them of contacting their families, in a grave violation of their rights.
The International Center for Justice and Human Rights said in statement that “Al-Razeen Prison authorities have deliberately banned activist Hassan Muneef Al-Jabri from having contact with his wife and 7 children for more than seven months. No calls were allowed even during the holy month of Ramadan and both Eid Al-Fitr and Adha, despite the wife and children need to visit their father on such occasions and to hear his voice.
“The prison is located in the middle of the desert; about 120 km away from Abu Dhabi which makes it very difficult for the families to reach, and after spending hours on the road and waiting for a few more hours outside the prison, they won’t be allowed the visit without any explanation or due reason.
“Amidst the spread of the Coronavirus in the UAE, the authorities have also banned the family from having any contact with Hassan or reassure them about his health status, which raises concerns about his possible infection with the virus especially since numerous inmates have tested positive in Light of this illegal and unjustified secrecy.
“It is noteworthy to mention that every prisoner and his family have the right to stay in touch and receive visits and phone calls as guaranteed by Emirati and international laws for prisoners and their families.
“For the record, Hassan Muneef Abdullah Al Jabri is an educational and administrative expert and a charitable work activist. He has held several positions in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in addition to his voluntary work within the UAE Red Crescent and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Charitable Activities. He has also obtained several appreciation certificates from different Ministers, institutions and associations.
“He has been subjected to several human rights violations, including arbitrary arrest by the State Security Service, enforced disappearance, nationality revocation, threats, torture and solitary confinement. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment within the grossly unfair trial of the UAE94 group and denied his basic human rights.
“In view of the above, the ICJHR urges the UAE authorities to:
• Immediately release activist Hassan Muneef Abdullah Al-Jabri and all prisoners of conscience unjustly detained in the UAE.
• Open a prompt and serious investigation into his rights’ violations by an independent authority and hold accountable all those responsible for his sufferings.”
