Ahmed Mansoor Passes Another Birthday Behind Bars

This week marks the 53rd birthday of the Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor who was sentenced to ten years in prison for “defaming the UAE through social media channels”, a charge directly related to his peaceful online activism. 

During his time in detention, he has been subjected to beatings and mental abuse by prison warders. Two separate hunger strikes in protest against his ill-treatment and inhumane detention conditions have left him weak and vulnerable to the risks related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

His 53rd birthday was a sorrowing day for his family as well as Ahmed himself, who has endured the mental and physical torment of permanent solitary confinement since his arrest on 20 March 2017.  

On this occasion, ICFUAE renews support for the prominent Emirati activist by wishing him a happy birthday, as well as by calling for his immediate and unconditional release on Twitter.