• Human Rights in United Arab Emirates

    United Arab Emirates authorities have cracked down on peaceful demonstrations since the Arab Spring. They have arrested some activists, stripped others of their citizenship, and disbanded the elected boards of civil society organizations. In July, the Emirates deported to Thailand a prominent Bidun activist, who was born in the UAE, after threatening him with indefinite detention if he stayed. The Emirates has nearly 4 million migrant workers, and across the UAE many have their pay withheld or their passports confiscated. Some progress has been made on the protection of workers' rights Saadiyat Island, a high-profile development and construction zone. The country's female domestic workers remain acutely vulnerable to grave abuse.

  • UAE: Cybercrimes Decree Attacks Free Speech
    A new federal decree on cybercrimes in the United Arab Emirates effectively closes off the country’s only remaining forum for free speech. The decree poses a serious threat to the liberty of peaceful activists and ordinary citizens alike.
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United Arab Emirates

  • UAE No Model of Progress
    Nov 28, 2012
    Ever since the European Parliament adopted its first resolution on the United Arab Emirates in late October, expressing profound concerns about its human rights record, the UAE has gone to great lengths to contest its accuracy.
  • UAE: Cybercrimes Decree Attacks Free Speech
    Nov 28, 2012
    A new federal decree on cybercrimes in the United Arab Emirates effectively closes off the country’s only remaining forum for free speech. The decree poses a serious threat to the liberty of peaceful activists and ordinary citizens alike.
  • UAE: Make Good on Human Rights Commitments
    Nov 16, 2012
    The United Arab Emirates should swiftly end the arbitrary detention and harassment of its critics in line with its obligations as a recently elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
  • Joint Letter to the UAE on Its Candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council
    Nov 7, 2012
  • A Gift with Lots of Baggage
    Oct 30, 2012
    Earlier this month Mayor Rahm Emanuel celebrated the opening of the United Arab Emirates-Manchester City Field at Haas Park, praising the facilities paid for and named after the UAE and Manchester City FC, the English soccer club owned by its ruling family. Chicagoans should not let theUAE’s very public association with a child and family-friendly project blind them to the realities of the UAE.
  • UAE: EU Condemns Emirates Rights Climate
    Oct 29, 2012
    For the first time the European Parliament formally commented on the UAE’s human rights record, which has worsened significantly in recent months.
  • EU: Address UAE Crackdown on Peaceful Activists
    Oct 9, 2012
    We are writing to draw your attention to disturbing developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where authorities have intensified their crackdown on peaceful political activists, showing a flagrant disregard for issues such as liberty, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The deteriorating situation in the country warrants a strong reaction from the EU.
  • UAE: Investigate Attacks on Rights Defender
    Oct 3, 2012
    United Arab Emirates authorities should immediately open an investigation into the recent physical assaults on a leading human rights activist.
  • UAE: Report Highlights Need for Worker Protections
    Sep 27, 2012
    A report by an independent monitor underscores the need for companies involved in the United Arab Emirates’ Saadiyat Island project to ensure that their projects comply with international labor standards for migrant workers.
  • UAE: Enforced Disappearance and Torture
    Sep 14, 2012
    United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities should immediately bring a victim of enforced disappearance, Ahmed al-Suweidi, before judicial authorities and open a thorough and impartial investigation into credible allegations of torture at State Security facilities.
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