European Union to discuss UAE violations next week

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the European Union, Josep Borrell, announced that the file of the UAE’s violations of human rights would top its discussions with the Union next week.

Borrell said that the European Union will address violations in the UAE during the next round of human rights dialogue with the UAE, scheduled for June 9.

Borrell stated that as part of normal practice, the EU will again consult with civil society organizations and activists in preparation for that meeting.

Borrell stated that the EU is actively monitoring, through its mission in Abu Dhabi and with EU member states represented there, the overall human rights situation in the UAE, including the case of detained human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor and other individual cases.

He explained that the EU reiterated its principled position on human rights defenders and freedom of expression, in line with the current EU Guidelines.

Furthermore, he added, following the confirmation of Mansoor’s ten-year prison sentence on December 31, 2018, by the UAE Federal Supreme Court, the European Union publicly affirmed that no one should be detained solely for peacefully expressing their views.

According to Borrell, the Ninth EU-UAE Human Rights Dialogue on February 22, 2020, in Brussels provided another opportunity to discuss relevant issues of concern to the UAE authorities, including freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, allegations of torture and ill-treatment, as well as prison conditions.

He stated that on that occasion, the European Union again stressed the importance of accountability and encouraged the UAE authorities to consider acceding to the core UN human rights treaties and to invite UN special procedures and international NGOs.