Boris Johnson urged to address human rights violations during visit to UAE

Human rights activists have urged UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to address during his visit to the UAE the human rights violations reported in the Gulf country.

The Middle Eastern nation declared as “key international partners” by Boris Johnson have appalling track records on human rights. 

His visit to the UAE comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the arbitrary arrest of the leading human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor amid calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Ahmed Mansoor, an Emirati poet and board member of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch, sentenced on 29 May 2018 for his human rights activities, including his work with UN mechanisms, has been held in solitary confinement since his arrest on 20 March 2017.

With the spotlight on the UAE during the Johnson's visit, we urge the Emirati authorities to take this opportunity to prove to the international community a true commitment to human rights by addressing the aforementioned human rights abuses, including by releasing all jailed human rights defenders and activists.