As 2021 comes to an end, we urge the UAE Government to Free Ahmed Mansoor

As 2021 comes to an end, ICFUAE renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Mansoor, a leading Emirati rights activist, known for his dedication to advocating human rights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader MENA region.

Following his arrest on March 20, 2017, Mansoor was detained in an undisclosed location, incommunicado, for over a year. In May 2018, he was unjustly sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges stemming from his peaceful criticism of government policies and his calls for human rights reform in the UAE. The state security prosecution charged him with ‘defaming the UAE through social media channels’ under the 2012 cybercrime law, specifically for his condemnation of rights violations in Egypt and Yemen, and the prosecution of other activities for speech ‘crimes’ in the UAE.

Since his conviction, Mansoor has been held in solitary confinement in Abu Dhabi’s notoriously repressive al-Sadr prison. He lives in a 2x2 meter cell with no bed, mattress nor means to pass the time. Consequently, he launched two hunger strikes in 2019 to protest his deplorable detention conditions, which successfully persuaded the Emirati authorities to grant him occasional contact with close family members and to allow him to spend limited time outdoors, but only temporarily.

While imprisoned, Mansoor has also been subjected to mental and physical torture. His four years in solitary confinement amount to torture under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which the UAE ratified in 2012. He is also reportedly beaten by prison warders and deprived of hot water during the winter months, which has heightened his vulnerability as he has developed high blood pressure.

Looking back over 2021

In January, Human Rights Watch and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) published a 30-page report disclosing the brutality of Ahmed Mansoor’s imprisonment. For example, the report reiterated that he has spent all four years of his detention in indefinite solitary confinement. It also confirmed many other forms of torture that Mansoor has been subjected to in al-Sadr.

In February, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, denounced the UAE’s long-term imprisonment of three activists, including Ahmed Mansoor. She called on the Emirati government to release them so that they could “continue their meaningful and necessary human rights work.”

On June 7, William Bourdon, a French human rights lawyer, filed an official complaint on behalf of GCHR with the Prosecutor’s Office in Paris against an Emirati Major General, and now Interpol president, Ahmed Naser al-Raisi, in the case of the unlawful arrest and subsequent torture of Ahmed Mansoor. Al-Raisi was accused of “acts of torture and barbarism” as his position in the UAE’s Ministry of Interior put him in control of the UAE security forces and therefore resulted in him playing a major role in Mansoor’s mistreatment.

On July 16, a leaked letter from Ahmed Mansoor, detailing his mistreatment in prison and flagrantly unfair trial, was published in the regional media sparking serious concerns over his safety. The letter describes Mansoor’s solitary confinement, and his deprivation of basic necessities and meaningful contact with other prisoners and the outside world. 

On September 16, the European Union parliament passed a resolution condemning alleged rights violations in the Gulf state, including Mansoor’s imprisonment, and demanded the “immediate” and unconditional release of Ahmed Mansoor, Mohammed al-Roken and Nasser bin Ghaith.

On October 6, Mary Robinson, former UN human rights commissioner, urged the UAE to free Ahmed Mansoor during her speech at the Expo Dubai world fair. She said that “[Mansoor] is regarded by the human rights community as a brave human rights defender,” and that “[his release] would be a timely move also called for by the parliament of the European Union.”

ICFUAE Statement

While many around the world enjoy the holiday festivities, Ahmed Mansoor continues to languish behind bars. 

Mansoor’s imprisonment is a direct reflection of the UAE government's continuous systematic oppression of political dissidents. His legitimate and peaceful human rights work never should have warranted his arrest and ultimate conviction. The Emirati government must recognise its constitutional responsibility to uphold and respect human rights by releasing Mansoor unconditionally without further delay.

As we say goodbye to 2021, we hope that the start of a new year will be a catalyst for change in the UAE.

What can I do to help?

Take action for Ahmed Mansoor by signing and sharing ICFUAE’s petition calling on the Emirati authorities to release human rights defenders and activists during the Dubai Expo 2020.

Tweet regularly calling for his immediate and unconditional release: 

• Use the hashtags #FreeAhmed and #FreeEmiratiActivists. 
• Copy in @Ahmed_Mansoor. 
• Address the tweets to @HHShkMohd (the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE), @SaifBZayed (the Minister of Interior, who is the authority responsible for prisons in the UAE) and @MohamedBinZayed (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi). 

Watch out for our “Twitter Storms” on key dates.