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ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #406
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ADHRB Events

Press Release: Tools of Repression in the UAE

1 July 2021, At an online-streamed event, which was held on June 29th, high-level panelists, including academic Matthew Hedges, shed light on the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) “Tools of repression” in a global economic and political context.

Aimed at uncovering the truth behind the Emirates’ tolerant façade, the event explored how a flawed legal system and a multibillion-dollar PR machine are used to provide legitimacy to the abuses committed by the UAE’s regime.

The event was sponsored by Finnish Member of the European Parliament, Alviina Alametsa, who, in her opening remarks, emphasized the EU’s statutory commitments to human rights but added that “we [the EU] fail too often to live up to our commitments” and that “we have neglected to put Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the forefront, particularly when it comes to arms export licences”.

Jointly organised by a coalition of three human rights organisations with a focus on the MENA region (ICFUAE, ECDHR and ALQST), the event hosted four expert panelists with years of experience in the field: Brian Dooley, Hiba Zayadin, Oscar Jenz and Matthew Hedges.

The panel focused on the UAE’s repressive legal and judicial systems and its vast international soft power machinery. As such, panelists aimed to explore the economic, political, and military ties the sheikhdom has forged with the EU, UK, and the US, while also offering their insights into the desperate situation facing human rights defenders in the UAE, following a decade of increasing systematic state-sponsored repression.

Bahrain and the US

U.S. House Committee Highlights Human Rights Abuses, Lack of Accountability in Bahrain

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee this week shone a bright light on the egregious and ongoing violations of human rights in Bahrain by calling for “meaningful progress” on human rights in Bahrain and accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses there.

“Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain is deeply appreciative of the action by the House Appropriations Committee and the leadership of Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Lee to highlight the worsening human rights situation in Bahrain,” said Husain Abdulla, Executive Director of Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain.  “Ending torture, releasing political prisoners like opposition leader Hassan Mushaima, transitioning to democracy, and holding those responsible for human rights abuses no matter how high they are in the Bahraini government cannot wait any longer.”

In the report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2022 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill the Committee elevated human rights and committed the US Government to work against the, “malign forces and actors [that] take advantage of vulnerable situations and people to erode human rights, sow fear, and centralize corrupt power.”

The Committee specifically highlighted the egregious violations of human rights by the Government of Bahrain, citing “ongoing reports of the widespread violation of human rights, including the use of arbitrary detention, violence, violations of due process, and restrictions of freedom of expression, the press, and assembly.”

Countries

Joint statement A coalition of rights groups mourns the death of devoted Emirati human rights activist Alaa al-Siddiq

With a profound sense of loss and deep sadness, we mourn the unexpected passing of the tireless human rights defender Alaa al-Siddiq,33, who died in a car accident near London on Saturday, 19 June 2021.

We have lost a dear colleague and one of the finest and talented activists who fought with every ounce of her being to advance the cause of the UAE prisoners of conscience and justice in the Mena region. Alaa, the Executive Director of the U.K.-based ALQST, a non- profit organisation that advocates for human rights in the wider Gulf region, is the daughter of detained Emirati activist, Muhammed al-Sidiq, who was stripped of his citizenship and is currently jailed in the UAE for his peaceful demands for reform. He has been subjected to enforced disappearance and torture, before being sentenced to ten years imprisonment following a grossly unfair mass trial known as the “UAE 94”. Authorities have also revoked the citizenship of his children who are treated as stateless and have faced discrimination ever since.

Alaa Al-Siddiq had been living in exile in the United Kingdom since the beginning of 2019. She has bravely campaigned for her father’s release and of all activists languishing in UAE prisons and fought fearlessly against injustice everywhere. Despite all attempts to break her spirit and the hardships she faced, including harassment and threats, she never doubted that the struggle for freedom and justice would succeed.

Profile in Persecution

Rajaie Ali Baddaw

Rajaie Ali Baddaw was only a 21-year-old, who graduated from high school and was waiting to get into university, when he was arrested. Rajaie was subjected to multiple human rights violations including severe beatings, undressing, sexual harassment, ill-treatment, threats, and other degrading acts. Rajaie is the brother of Mohsen and Mohamed Baddaw, who were both sentenced to life in prison. He is currently held in Jau Prison, Building 14.

On 15 September 2015, Rajaie was warrantlessly arrested after he left the mosque by officers in civilian clothing who came out of a car driving behind him. They ran after him, surrounded him, and threw him on the floor. They threatened to kill him by pointing a gun at his head. Rajaie was arrested for his participation in anti-government marches. His family has long been the target of sudden raids and forced house break-ins by civil, riot, and police forces. These raids were carried out to arrest Rajaie and his brothers Mohsen and Mohamed.

At 11 pm, Rajaie called his family to inform them of his arrest and that he is held at the investigations (CID). Rajaie’s family did not know anything about his whereabouts or wellbeing for a week after the arrest. He was only able to meet them a month after the arrest.

GCC in the Wire

 

 

- UK MPs call for suspension of 'secretive' Gulf funding initiatives: Report (Middle East Eye)
British MPs are calling on the country's government to suspend "secretive" funding programmes to Gulf countries that they allege could place the UK at risk of being complicit in human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
 
- UK sold more than $20bn in weapons to countries slammed over human rights (Middle East Eye)
The UK sold arms and military equipment to dozens of countries that have been criticised for their record on human rights and civil liberties, according to a new report.

- UEA: Nearly a decade of unjust imprisonment for 'UAE-94' dissidents (Amnesty International)

The UAE must end its arbitrary detention of 60 individuals – including activists, lawyers, students and teachers – convicted on trumped-up charges following an unfair mass trial known as the “UAE-94” case, Amnesty International said today, marking the eight-year anniversary since the trial’s verdict in July 2013 and the ninth year in prison for the detainees, who were arrested in 2012.

- Saudi Arabia: Why Biden will leave Mohammed bin Salman in charge (Middle East Eye)
In the Middle East in general, and Saudi Arabia in particular, many activists and human right defenders hoped that newly elected US President Joe Biden would turn the page on the Trump era, when rulers in the region had carte blanche to continue their authoritarian practices and repressive measures.

- Yemen: Houthis Subject Model to Unfair Trial (Human Rights Watch)
Houthi authorities are carrying out an unfair trial of a Yemeni actress and model, Human Rights Watch said today. She has been arbitrarily detained since February 20, 2021. The case has been marred with irregularities and abuse.

- UN experts urge UAE to halt repatriation of ex-Guantanamo inmate (Reuters)
A Russian who spent 15 years at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo and was released to the United Arab Emirates for resettlement now faces forced repatriation to his homeland and possible torture, U.N. human rights experts said on Friday.

 
Are you a victim of a human rights abuse in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, or other GCC states?

Document your case with the Special Procedures of the United Nations through 
ADHRB's UN Complaint Program.
Copyright © 2017 ADHRB, All rights reserved.
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