UAE continue to mistreat female prisoners of conscience 

UAE continue to mistreat female prisoners of conscience 

Female detainees continue to be mistreated in UAE’s al-Watbha prison following the death in custody of Emirati aid worker, Alia Abdel Nour.

Abdel Nour, 44, passed away from cancer last month in UAE’s Tawam hospital.  According to credible sources, she did not receive urgent medical care,  and was reportedly forced to sign a document stating that she refused chemotherapy while detained in al-Watbha prison. The UN have subsequently called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. 

ICFUAE have now learned of other cases involving medical negligence in al-Watbha prison.  Shortly following Alia’s death, rights sources revealed that the health of UAE prisoners of conscience Amina al-Abdouli and Mariam al-Baloushi had deteriorated rapidly due to the harsh detention conditions in the jail.

Over the last few months, Al-Baloushi has been refused medical treatment for liver cirrhosis and kidney stones. Al-Abdouli, who suffers from anemia and liver disease, has similarly been denied medical care. 

Additionally, on the day of Alia’s passing the prison administration searched the cells of both of these prisoners. Six officers entered their cells and confiscated religious books.  

These revelations come after previous testimonies from al-Baloushi and al-Abdouli, accusing the prison authorities of severe ill-treatment of inmates in al-Watbha, inlcluding torture, overcrowding of cells, inadequate food and poor hygeience conditions.  

ICFUAE Statement:

This is yet another example of the Emirati regime’s appalling treatment of female prisoners of conscience in the UAE.  International pressure must be exerted on the authorities to adhere to the UN’s Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which affords adequate medical care as a basic right. To ensure compliance UAE authorities should immediately allow UN working bodies access to al-Watbha prison to inspect conditions. 

ENDS 

1- For more information or comment, please contact the ICFUAE team on joe@icfuae.org.uk or 07979 6666 98 

2- For more on the story, please see https://www.ic4jhr.org/en/2014-11-30-18-36-45/media/1022-amina-al-abdouli-and-maryam-al-balloushi-subjected-to-ill-treatment-at-al-wathba-after-alya-abdulnoor%E2%80%99s-death.html  

 

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