In the bustling lead-up to the 28th Conference of Parties on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), slated to be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, a troubling situation has emerged that demands immediate international attention. A coalition of 19 human rights groups has come together to issue a poignant plea to the United States government. They urge Washington to stand for human rights by unequivocally calling for the release of Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, who has been unjustly detained in solitary confinement for over six years.
Ahmed Mansoor: A Voice Silenced
Ahmed Mansoor is no stranger to the global human rights community. In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders for his unwavering commitment to justice and freedom. However, the path he has treaded since then has been fraught with peril, culminating in his arbitrary imprisonment and isolation on March 20, 2017.
The Emirati authorities accused Mansoor of “spreading false news” with the intention to “harm the reputation of the state.” Such vague charges are a smokescreen to suppress dissent and muzzle those who dare to speak out against the government. Mansoor’s supposed crimes were rooted solely in his human rights advocacy, which included communicating with organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Instead of being celebrated as a champion of justice, Mansoor was unjustly convicted, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and slapped with a hefty fine of 1,000,000 Emirati Dirhams.
Six Years of Solitary Confinement: A Violation of Rights
The sheer cruelty of Ahmed Mansoor’s imprisonment becomes painfully evident upon examining the conditions he has endured. Over the past six years, UN reports and independent human rights organizations have consistently documented his solitary confinement in a bleak cell devoid of reading materials, television, radio, or essential amenities. Even the most basic needs, such as eyeglasses and personal hygiene items, have been denied, further violating the prohibition against torture and inhumane or degrading treatment.
Mansoor’s case represents not only a violation of his rights but also a stark demonstration of the UAE’s erosion of civil liberties. Since 2011, the UAE has systematically curtailed civic space through repressive laws that criminalize peaceful expression, association, and assembly. The stifling of debate and dissent, as exemplified by Mansoor’s ordeal, echoes a disturbing pattern in the lead-up to important events in the country.
COP28: A Critical Opportunity for Change
As the host of COP28, the UAE holds a pivotal role in facilitating an open and transparent conference, where the global community can engage in crucial discussions on climate change. However, the continued unjust imprisonment of Ahmed Mansoor is an affront to the principles of justice, freedom, and human rights that COP28 should embody.
The coalition of 19 human rights groups insists that the UAE must take meaningful steps to demonstrate its commitment to a free civic space. The immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Mansoor is a crucial benchmark in this regard. Ensuring that observer organizations attending COP28 can participate effectively, safely, and meaningfully is equally imperative.
A Call to Action for the United States
At the heart of this issue lies the role of the United States, a nation that has historically championed human rights and democracy on the global stage. The coalition’s appeal to the US government carries with it the expectation that Washington will not remain silent in the face of Mansoor’s unjust imprisonment. COP28 provides a unique opportunity for the US to leverage its diplomatic influence and call for the release of this peaceful human rights defender.
Joey Shea, the UAE and Saudi researcher at Human Rights Watch, astutely observes, “The US has been shockingly silent for years since Ahmed Mansoor’s unjust imprisonment.” This silence must be broken to secure the release of Mansoor and to advocate for the rights of all human rights defenders in the UAE. The global community looks to the United States to champion the cause of justice, and this responsibility extends to the imminent climate conference.
Conclusion: Defending Human Rights in the Face of Climate Change
In the intersection of climate action and human rights, there lies an undeniable responsibility for the international community to stand firm in the face of injustice. The case of Ahmed Mansoor is a poignant reminder that the fight for a sustainable planet must go hand in hand with the fight for justice, transparency, and freedom.
As the world prepares to converge in Dubai for COP28, let it be a gathering not only for climate discussions but also for human rights advocacy. The release of Ahmed Mansoor is not just a demand for his freedom but also a call to uphold the principles upon which our global community is built. The Washington Center for Human Rights joins the coalition of human rights groups in urging the US government to seize this moment, to ensure justice for Ahmed Mansoor, and to uphold the rights of all individuals who dare to raise their voices for a better world.