A month after the initial hearing, on January 6, 2024, the state news agency formally announced the trial and the new charges against the 84 defendants, claiming that they had concealed evidence of their past conviction for “establishing another clandestine organization for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism” on state property.
Authorities accused 43 of the men with creating a “terrorist organization” and at least 41 with providing assistance and funds to a “terrorist organization,” allegations that carry terms of up to life in prison or the death penalty, according to the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC). On December 7, 2023, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court conducted the first hearing. For individuals whose families had not retained defense attorneys, the authorities assigned state attorneys.
Freedom of Expression
The defendants’ right to a fair trial has been flagrantly violated on several occasions, including when the prosecution clearly directed witness testimony, withheld important information like the specific charges or the legal articles being invoked, restricted the sharing of case-related documents between attorneys and the defendants and their families, and prevented relatives from attending hearings during the trial, which started on December 7, 2023.
By putting dozens of people on trial for vague allegations stemming from an as-yet-undisclosed indictment, the United Arab Emirates is disguising justice. According to Aya Majzoub, International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, “The UAE did not even acknowledge the trial was taking place until a month ago, despite the first hearing of this politically motivated prosecution taking place during COP28 in an unabashed show of repression.”
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are absurdly accusing several individuals of the same crimes for which they were previously found guilty over ten years ago. This is a blatant disregard for the fundamental legal precept that prohibits the prosecution of the same defendant for the same offense more than once.
Migrant Workers’ Rights
Notable human rights advocates for Emirati citizens Mohamed al-Mansoori, Mohamed al-Roken, and Ahmed Mansoor are among the accused. Forty-three of the minimum eighty-four suspects are accused of founding a terrorist organization, and an additional forty-one are accused of providing financial support to it. Those accused of assisting this “terrorist” group include Dr. Nasser Bin Ghaith, who was sentenced to ten years in jail on March 29, 2017, and Ahmed Mansoor, who was detained on March 20, 2017, and sentenced to ten years in prison in May 2018. In the event that the defendants are found guilty, they may file an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court, the highest court.
Arbitrary Detention
Serious human rights breaches by the government persisted. These violations included arbitrary imprisonment, inhumane and brutal treatment of detainees, repression of the right to free speech, and invasions of privacy. Many prisoners were kept behind bars after their sentences ended without a valid reason. The UAE government persisted in denying those who are stateless their right to nationality, which has an effect on their ability to receive various services. Executions were reported, and death sentences were imposed by the courts. The Yemen conflict has resulted in several flagrant breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights legislation, and the United Arab Emirates remains a party to this conflict.
Anti Semitism
The population of the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven semiautonomous emirates, is estimated to be 9.8 million, of which 11% are citizens. The Federal Supreme Council, the highest legislative and executive body in the nation, is made up of the leaders of the seven emirates. The prime minister and cabinet are appointed by the president, who is chosen by the council from among its members as president and vice president. After Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away in May, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of the Abu Dhabi emirate, assumed the presidency. Under patriarchal leadership, the emirates’ political loyalty is determined by a person’s devotion to the leaders of their tribes, their own emirates, and the federation as a whole.
In conclusion, many basic human rights are violated by the UAE government. The United Arab Emirates lacks democratically elected institutions, and its residents are not allowed to create political parties or alter their government. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women is one of the international agreements to which the United Arab Emirates has acceded. The global agreement to end all types of discrimination based on race. The Children’s Rights Convention.