All those who speak against the government face a serious type of punishment from UAE officials. Citizenship revocation is a famous tool to punish those who freely speak or criticize the government. This tactic is mainly aimed at individuals involved in the “UAE84” trial, where 43 people were sentenced to life imprisonment on questionable terrorism charges. The purpose of the government is to silence activists. For this purpose, they used revoking citizenship. They also create fear so that others can never speak against the government.
Back in 2011, when 133 Emirati academics, lawyers, and human rights defenders signed a petition and asked for democratic reform. At that time this trend began. Many of them were part of the Reform and Social Guidance Association, a group known for peaceful discussions.
After signing the petition many people lost citizenship without any official notice. This action of the government makes them stateless. This move also breaks international laws but does not violate the internal laws of the nation. According to the international community, every action from any nation should be fair and reasonable. So, the United Arab Emirates approach clearly targets and silences those seeking change.
What are the serious concerns about it?
UAE’s State Security Apparatus (SSA) actions are deeply troubling. They arrested all those who signed a petition. Most of them belong to al-Islah. All of these people were kept secretly and also reportedly tortured. No one knows any information about them.
This led to the biggest political trial in the history of the United Arab Emirates named “UAE94”. Back in July 2013, when many people were sentenced to jail just because they were trying to overthrow the government.
Additionally, another trial “UAE84” took place on December 7, 2023. This was also a large political trial. The verdict on July 10, 2024, gave life sentences to 43 people, with others also getting long sentences.
Beyond prison, the UAE government has taken away the citizenship of several “UAE94” members, like Abdulsalam al-Marzooqi in 2016, and even targeted their families, leaving some stateless. UN experts have raised serious concerns about these actions and urged the UAE authorities to address these human rights violations.
The case of Abdulsalam al-Marzooqi’s children is also troubling. They lost their identity without any official notice. Back in July 2016, when they travelled to the United States for the purpose of medical treatment. When they reached the US, they received a call from the nationality department of Abu Dhabi. According to this call, they have to bring their national identity to the United Arab Emirates. The children explained that they were not in the UAE and could not do that. After this, they have not been able to renew their identity document. In February 2022, they received another call. After this call, they came to know that their citizenship was revoked because their father’s citizenship was revoked.
This made it clear they had lost their nationality, but they were never given an official document, making the process seem unfair and illegal.
Another problem in the UAE is that many people, especially those connected to the “UAE94” movement, are denied the renewal of their identity documents. Even though they are still in the system, they risk becoming stateless. When they try to do basic tasks, they are asked for valid IDs, which they can’t provide. This practice seems to have no legal basis and is used to punish activists and their families.
Different types of hardship
Emirates authorities’ actions are not in favour of citizens. They snatch the people’s nationality and do not allow them to renew their IDs. This move of the government creates many problems. People in this nation struggle with many problems, such as managing paperwork, getting insurance, applying to universities, finding jobs, and travelling. These actions clearly violate human rights like the right to have a nationality, move freely, get an education, and access healthcare.
It is good for the government to stop such actions immediately. The international community and human rights organizations must pressure the government of this nation to follow all laws and respect the rights of everyone.
By speaking out about these injustices, we can help ensure that no one is left without a nationality or denied their basic rights, including the right to speak freely.