The Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) is deeply concerned about the continued human rights violations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The recent joint statement by Human Rights Watch and other organizations highlights the severity of the situation, with reports of arbitrary detention, restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and assembly, and the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers.
The WCHR believes that the UAE’s human rights record is unacceptable, and calls on the international community to take action. The UAE’s blatant disregard for human rights is particularly troubling in the lead-up to the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate change is a global issue that requires collective action, but we cannot sacrifice human rights in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.
According to Human Rights Watch’s 2022 World Report on the UAE, “authorities continued to restrict basic rights, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and continued to crack down on peaceful dissent, imposing harsh penalties on those who criticize the government.” The report also highlights the detention of political activists and human rights defenders, who have been subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and other forms of ill-treatment.
The exploitation and abuse of migrant workers is another significant human rights issue in the UAE. A 2021 report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) notes that “migrant workers are trapped in a system of debt bondage, working for little or no pay in dangerous conditions.” The report also highlights the government’s failure to enforce labor laws and provide adequate protection for workers.
The WCHR calls on the UAE government to respect and protect human rights, and take immediate steps to address these issues. The government must release all political prisoners and human rights defenders, and ensure that all citizens are free to express themselves and assemble peacefully. Additionally, the government must take concrete steps to end the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, including enforcing labor laws and providing adequate protection for workers.
The WCHR also calls on the international community, including the United States and the United Nations, to use their influence to pressure the UAE government to respect human rights. The US government should reconsider its support for the UAE and withhold financial and diplomatic support until significant improvements are made in the country’s human rights record. The UN should establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the UAE’s human rights violations and hold those responsible accountable.
The WCHR stands in solidarity with the people of the UAE who have been denied their basic human rights. We will continue to monitor the situation in the country and advocate for justice and accountability. The world must not turn a blind eye to the human rights violations committed in the UAE, and we must work together to ensure that human rights are respected and protected, even as we address the pressing issue of climate change.