Large protest vigil demands Lebanese prisoners' release from UAE jails

Family members of eight Lebanese men detained in the UAE after unfair trials staged a protest vigil demanding their immediate release.

On 15 May 2019, the Federal Appeal Court in Abu Dhabi issued its verdict in the case of 11 Lebanese men – eight of whom had been detained and appeared before the Court.

Family members told 'Human Rights Watch' that the defendants, who face 'terrorism' charges, have been held in prolonged solitary confinement and denied access to their families, legal counsel, and the evidence against them. At least three detainees told family members that state security forces forced them to sign statements while blindfolded and under duress, and one said they forced him to sign a blank paper.

The men – all of whom are Shia Muslims – have each lived and worked in the UAE for more than 15 years. Seven worked at Emirates Airlines as flight attendants, pursers, or senior managers. Family members said that none had any known political affiliations.

According to 'Amnesty International', the proceedings against them did not meet international fair trial standards: there was a lack of safeguards to protect the men against torture, and confessions extracted under duress were used as evidence.