Concerns Mount Over Enforced Disappearance of Poet Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi in UAE
28 Human Rights Organizations Express Deep Concern Over the Enforced Disappearance of Poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi in the UAE
A coalition of 28 human rights organizations has voiced serious concern over the enforced disappearance of Egyptian poet and dissident Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. His whereabouts have been unknown since January 8, 2025, following his forcible deportation from Lebanon to the UAE at the request of the Emirati Attorney General.
In a joint statement, the organizations strongly condemned Al-Qaradawi’s detention, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the misuse of international security agreements to silence political opponents.
They called on UAE authorities to immediately reveal his location, allow him to contact his family and lawyer, and ensure his unconditional release.
The statement also highlighted the UAE’s troubling human rights record, particularly its crackdown on dissent and mistreatment of political prisoners. The organizations warned that such actions undermine international human rights standards and reinforce a climate of repression.
Additionally, given that Al-Qaradawi holds Turkish citizenship, the statement urged Turkish authorities to take urgent diplomatic measures to secure his release and demand clarity on his fate.
Al-Qaradawi was arrested in Lebanon on December 28, 2024, reportedly based on a complaint from the Emirati Attorney General regarding a video he had shared on his personal page.
He was swiftly deported to the UAE under opaque circumstances, raising fears of political motivations behind the decision. Since then, UAE authorities have provided no information on his condition or legal status.
The statement stressed that governments, particularly the UAE, are increasingly exploiting international security cooperation as a tool to suppress free expression, posing a direct threat to global human rights principles.
The organizations emphasized that Al-Qaradawi’s long-standing advocacy for democracy and human rights demands urgent international intervention to prevent further violations.
They reiterated their call for his immediate release, insisting on transparency and respect for his legal and human rights.
Since his deportation, Al-Qaradawi has been completely cut off from his family and legal counsel, with UAE authorities refusing to disclose any information about his location, condition, or any legal proceedings against him, if they exist.
The organizations warned that this case is part of a broader pattern of escalating human rights violations in the region, where security cooperation is being used as a pretext for political persecution. They noted that such practices are increasingly targeting human rights defenders and political dissidents worldwide.
Furthermore, they cautioned that incidents like this pose a serious threat to the global human rights system. The forced deportation and transnational targeting of individuals constitute a blatant violation of international law and set a dangerous precedent for cross-border repression.
Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi is a poet, journalist, and media figure who holds both Egyptian and Turkish citizenship. He is widely recognized for his outspoken support for freedom and democracy and his firm opposition to authoritarian regimes.
