UAE continues to prevent prisoner family visits

The UAE authorities continue to prevent prisoner family visits, a decision taken in 2020 during the coronavirus outbreak.

Despite removing all coronavirus restrictions in the country, the Emirati authorities continue to prevent the prisoners from their right for family visits.

It is worth to mention that family visit is a fundamental human right for prisoners. Rule 37 of the 1955 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners provides: “Prisoners shall be allowed to receive visits from their family and reputable friends.”

However, the Emirati authorities fail to adhere to the UN's standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, which afford basic rights for prison inmates, such as regular access to family, adequate medical care, food, clean drinking water and other amenities. 

The UAE authorities must allow UN working groups and special rapporteurs access to the facility, a request that has been denied on numerous occasions.