Seminar: Rights concerns raised over UAE human rights situation

In a critical and timely exploration of transnational repression, Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK hosted a compelling webinar titled “Transnational Repression: Endangered Lives of Emirati Dissidents Overseas.”

The session was expertly moderated by Emirati Human Rights Activist, Jenan Abdulsalam Almarzooqi, whose personal insights and experience as the daughter of Emirati political detainee, Abdelsalam Darwish, brought a profound perspective to the discussions.

The event took a deep dive into the multifaceted challenges faced by Emirati dissidents abroad, with insights delivered by distinguished experts on the subject.The panel of speakers for the webinar was a stellar line-up of experts and campaigners in the realm of human rights and international affairs. Haydée Dijkstal, Barrister at 33 Bedford Row Chambers, Bill Law, Editor of Arab Digest and former BBC’s Gulf affairs analyst, Ahmed AlShaibah, Emirati Human Rights Defender, Kristina Stockwood, Campaigner at GCHR, and Sevag Kechichian, Gulf Researcher at Democracy for Arab World Now (DAWN). 

Their collective expertise brought a depth of understanding to the ongoing issues in the UAE, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for Emirati dissidents at risk.In her speech, Haydée Dijkstal, a Barrister from 33 Bedford Row Chambers, voiced grave concerns over the growing trend. 

This issue has been most prevalent in cases of dual nationals living in their other country of citizenship. Dijkstal asserts that the UAE is extending its reach into foreign jurisdictions to repress and punish those who exercise their right to free expression by criticising the UAE government. In his speech, Bill Law, editor of Arab Digest and former BBC’s Gulf affairs analyst, expressed grave concerns about human rights issues in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the United Arab Emirates. 

He discussed the distressing situation of Emirati dissident, Dr. Khalaf Alrumaithy, who has been missing for three weeks, likening it to similar cases of detained dissidents in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.Law believes that the time is pressing for human rights activists to engage with climate change activists to ensure a holistic approach to human rights, encompassing not only the right to clean air and water, but also basic freedoms like the right to free speech and a fair trial. 

In his speech, Emirati human rights defender Ahmed AlShaibah, gave a chilling account of the harsh realities faced by human rights defenders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). AlShaibah detailed several instances of transnational repression, including the kidnapping of a fellow dissident, highlighting how the UAE authority uses its wealth and power to violate international laws. 

AlShaibah condemned the UAE authority for using what he described as “dirty money” to act against human rights defenders in foreign countries, alluding to cases in Jordan and Indonesia where UAE citizens were allegedly kidnapped with the cooperation of local authorities.

In her speech, Kristina Stockwood, the Campaigner and Fundraising & Development Manager at Gulf Centre for Human Rights, made some powerful revelations about human rights violations in the United Arab Emirates.

Stockwood highlighted the disturbing case of UAE detainee Abdulsalam Darwish, expressing deep concern over the persistent threats and intimidation faced by his daughter, who was forced to flee the country in 2016. After the tragic death of another human rights defender, Al Sadiq, the daughter of a detained prisoner of conscience, Darwish’s daughter received further threats online, illustrating the far-reaching influence of Emirati authorities.In his speech, a Gulf Researcher at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), presented a grim forecast for human rights, with an increasing impact on climate justice and rights caused by climate change. 

He particularly highlighted the rapidly growing influence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the global stage, largely fueled by its energy, oil wealth, technological investments, and business interests in the West.