German leader visits UAE, ignores its poor human rights record

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, during a two-day visit to the Gulf region focused mainly on securing new fossil fuel supplies and forging fresh alliances against Russia.

After visiting the Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi, Scholz met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to sign an accord on energy cooperation and the country’s hosting of next year’s U.N. climate talks.

The German leader’s first stop Saturday was Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Human rights groups criticised the meeting because of Prince Mohammed’s alleged involvement in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Scholz told reporters after the meeting that he had discussed “all the questions around civil and human rights” with the prince, but declined to elaborate.

However, he ignored the poor human rights situation in the UAE and the continued persecution of human rights defenders at home and abroad.