Political Prisoner’s Daughter Calls for Investigation into Torture Reports

In a series of tweets, the daughter of Emirati prisoner of conscience Abdul Salam Darwish called on UAE authorities to open an investigation into the torture reports in Abu Dhabi’s al-Razeen prison. She also voiced concerns regarding the health and safety situation in the notorious high security detention facility, calling for the investigation to shed light on the detention conditions and mental and physical state of her father and his fellow prisoners.

“We call for an immediate investigation into the violations which political prisoners are subjected to in al-Razeen prison and their health situation. We also call to provide them with all their stolen rights. “

Darwish was arrested and subjected to an enforced disappearance on July 24, 2012 for signing the 2011 reform petition urging the president of the UAE to allow direct elections and grant legislative powers to parliament. In pre-trial detention, he was subjected to torture during interrogation. He was later tried as part of the notorious “UAE 94” case and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. Darwish himself was also arbitrarily stripped of his Emirati citizenship and remains stateless.

The case of  Abdul Salam Darwish illustrates the UAE’s practice of arbitrary citizenship withdrawal that Emirati nationals are exposed to if they criticize the government, often leaving them stateless and without income.

The situation of prisoners of conscience in the country continues to raise serious concerns among international human rights groups.