By Dylan Takores
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – A coalition of human rights groups condemned allegedly “unfair” pretrial conditions imposed upon ninety-four political activists set for trial in the UAE’s Supreme Court.
Reportedly “credible” sources informed the trial judge, Falah Al Hajiri, that the detainees were subjected to torture while in detention. The coalition of human rights groups issued a report arguing that the judge breached his obligation to prevent pretrial torturing by failing to investigate the allegations.
The activists were arrested in a series of raids last year by UAE authorities and are charged with planning a coup against the government. The government further alleged that the activists possess ties to Al-Ishlah, a group associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The coalition consists primarily of four human rights groups: the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, the International Federation for Human Rights, the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.
The coalition issued an initial statement opposing the ongoing “crackdown” on citizens’ freedom of speech in January, 2013. They issued a report yesterday exposing “flagrant disregard of fair trial guarantees.” The report primarily contended that the judge should have investigated the possible incidences of pretrial torture.
Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East Director of Human Rights Watch, claimed the “shamelessly unfair judicial process . . . makes a mockery of justice.” Whitson reported that the government targeted and arrested prominent human rights leaders including lawyers, judges, teachers, and students.
In addition, members of Reporters Without Borders voiced their concern regarding the lack of the trial’s media coverage. The Emirati government imposed a news blackout, refusing to allow international reporters to observe any part of the trial. The government did not permit family members of the detainees to witness the fifth and most recent trial proceeding.
UAE Attorney General Ali Salim al-Tenaji denied that the detainees were tortured. He maintained that authorities treated the detainees in “accordance to the law.”
If convicted, the activists could receive up to fifteen years in jail. The activists do not have the right to appeal the court’s decision. The next proceeding will take place today at the Federal Supreme Court in the nation’s capital.
For further information, please see:
BBC News –Human rights groups: UAE trial ‘flagrantly unfair’ – 26 March 2013
Gulf News – UAE Human rights group attends trial of 94 accused of threatening national security – 25 March 2013
Reporters Without Borders – News blackout imposed on trial of 94 activists on national security charges – 25 March 2013
Al Jazeera – UAE coup plot trial begins in Abu Dhabi – 4 March 2013
Reporters Without Borders – Human rights groups call for an end to the crackdown on human rights defenders and political activists as UPR begins – 28 January 2013
