UAE: No political prisoners included in National Day pardon

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 1,530 prisoners, ahead of UAE's 51st National Day.

The president’s annual pardon is a humanitarian gesture granted to prisoners prior to religious or national occasions to allow them to start afresh and reintegrate into society. 

This year’s pardon was allegedly offered to provide released inmates with an opportunity to start a new life and bring joy to their families.

However, dozens of political prisoners, imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, have been excluded from the pardon and continue to languish behind bars, demonstrating the UAE’s disregard for human rights.

Meanwhile, more than 46 political prisoners are continued to be held beyond their release date in flagrant violation to the national and international laws.