Human rights organizations launch “SANID” campaign in solidarity with prisoners of conscience in the UAE
On March 3, 2022, a coalition of international human rights organizations launched the “SANID” campaign in solidarity with prisoners of conscience in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The campaign aims to draw attention to the alarming number of individuals being arbitrarily detained in the UAE, particularly those who have been imprisoned for their peaceful exercise of free expression and association.
The SANID campaign, which means “support” in Arabic, brings together organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights. These groups are calling on the UAE government to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, to ensure that their treatment meets international standards, and to respect the right to freedom of expression and association.
The launch of the SANID campaign comes amid growing concerns about the human rights situation in the UAE. Over the past several years, there have been numerous reports of torture, forced disappearances, and other forms of mistreatment of detainees. The country’s legal system also allows for arbitrary detention without charge or trial, giving authorities broad powers to detain individuals for extended periods of time.
One of the main targets of the UAE’s crackdown on dissent has been human rights defenders and activists. These individuals are often subject to surveillance, harassment, and arbitrary detention, with some facing long prison sentences. Many are also denied access to legal counsel or family visits, and are held in inhumane conditions.
The SANID campaign aims to shed light on the plight of these individuals and to put pressure on the UAE government to release them. It also highlights the need for the international community to take action to address this issue.
What can the international community do to tackle this problem?
There are several actions that the international community can take to address the human rights situation in the UAE and support the efforts of the SANID campaign. These include:
-1 Call on the UAE government to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, and to ensure that their treatment meets international standards.
-2 Pressure the UAE government to repeal laws that allow for arbitrary detention and ensure that individuals are only detained with due process and in accordance with international human rights standards.
-3 Urge the UAE government to respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and to ensure that human rights defenders, activists, and journalists can carry out their work without fear of reprisals.
-4 Advocate for independent and impartial monitoring of detention centers and prisons in the UAE to ensure that detainees are not subjected to torture, ill-treatment, or other forms of abuse.
-5 Encourage international organizations, such as the United Nations, to investigate human rights abuses in the UAE and hold those responsible accountable.
-6 Work with civil society groups in the UAE to support their efforts to promote and protect human rights, and to provide assistance to individuals and families affected by the government’s crackdown on dissent.
Through these actions, the international community can play a vital role in supporting the SANID campaign and advocating for the release of prisoners of conscience in the UAE.
In conclusion, the SANID campaign launched by international human rights organizations is an important effort to draw attention to the human rights situation in the UAE, particularly the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of prisoners of conscience. The campaign calls on the UAE government to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, and to ensure that their treatment meets international standards. The international community can support these efforts by putting pressure on the UAE government, advocating for human rights, and supporting civil society groups working on this issue. Ultimately, it is crucial to hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable and to work towards a society that respects and protects the rights and freedoms of all individuals.