UAE and International Women's Day
March 8th marks International Women's Day. The day signifies progressions made in regards to gender equality and emancipation from oppressive patriarchal structures which historically governed societies globally.
Whilst this day symbolises empowerment for many women around the world, women in the UAE remain oppressed under a political framework firmly built upon unequal gendered values.
Many of us are falsely led to buy into the UAE’s facade of tolerance, coexistence and peace, which is supported through its various partnerships and PR campaigns. However, these mask the truths about the lack of political and civil rights it grants to its citizens, especially to women.
An array of events in 2020 and already in 2021 explicitly highlight the realities of the lack of women's rights and human rights more broadly.
The case of Princess Latifa stands as the most current and ironic example of how women's rights are so blatantly disregarded in the UAE. Recently leaked videos of the princess, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler and vice president of the UAE, revealed she is being held hostage in a converted jail, which follows after her failed attempt to escape the oppressive daily realities she endures. The 35-year-old said she is being denied access to a lawyer and medical treatment, and claims she is not even allowed to leave for fresh air.
However, the case of Princess Latifa is less surprising when considered in the context of other discriminatory efforts to limit women’s rights in the UAE. For example, the current process for Emirati mothers to pass down their citizenship to their children is regulated by law. Unlike Emirati or foreign national fathers, citizenship is not immediately granted and Emirati mothers have to apply for citizenship for their children. This lengthy process can amount to a total of six years.
Another issue is that of indefinite detention. In November 2020, prisoners of conscience Maryam al-Balushi and Amina al-Abdouli were due to be released from prison, after serving their five-year sentences in Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi. The arrest of Maryam followed after she donated to a Syrian family in need and Amina’s arrest followed after she expressed support for the Arab Spring on Twitter.
Maryam and Amina remain imprisoned beyond their release dates and the UAE government has offered no signs of their release in the immediate future. Both individuals endured unfair trials by being denied full access to lawyers, as well as being secretly detained and beaten prior to any official charges being made. In addition, they have been continually subjected to beatings and ill-treatment throughout their imprisonment, in addition to being denied basic needs such as sanitary towels, food and clean water which was evidenced in leaked recordings and letters.
ICFUAE statement:
“As it stands the UAE’s discriminatory treatment of women misaligns with the legitimate celebration of International Women's Day. The case of Princess Latifa, sexists citizenship laws and the issue of indefinite detention for Maryam al-Balushi and Amina al-Abdouli evidence the unjust treatment of women. Their cases also underscore the false pretence of tolerance, coexistence and peace the UAE continues to promote. The UAE government must therefore release these prisoners and seek to end all discrimination against women in law and in practice.”
ENDS
For further information or comment, please contact the ICFUAE: media@icfuae.org.uk, +44 (0)79 79666698
