UAE

United Arab Emirates Human Rights

Human Rights Concerns

Amnesty International is concern on reports of arbitrary arrest and torture of detainees. Political suspects in the UAE are commonly held incommunicado in undisclosed locations. Those arrested by Amn al-Dawla are reportedly often kept in solitary confinement. A few political detainees have been allowed to make brief and limited phone calls to their families. Political parties do not exist in the UAE; political dissent is not tolerated and there are severe restrictions on freedom of expression.

The use of torture of political detainees has been widely reported. Methods have included sleep deprivation, suspension by the wrists or ankles followed by severe beatings to the soles of the feet and even the use of electric shocks to various parts of the body.

Political parties do not exist in the UAE; political dissent is not tolerated and there are severe restrictions on freedom of expression and association. Websites have been targeted for closure and their owners prosecuted for defamation.

In April 2011 three advocate of political reform were detained in the United Arab Emirates, apparently linked to their calls for political reform. Their lawyer does not know where they are being held. Ahmad Mansoor, a blogger associated with Hewar, an online political forum that is blocked by the UAE authorities, was detained on April 8. Fahad Salem al-Shehhi, also associated with the online political forum Hewar was arrested on April 10. Nasseer bin Ghaith, an economist and lecturer was detained on April 10. They are likely to be prisoners of conscience.

The use of torture of political detainees has been widely reported. Methods have included sleep deprivation, suspension by the wrists or ankles followed by severe beatings to the soles of the feet and even the use of electric shocks to various parts of the body.

Women continued to suffer discrimination in law and practice. Foreign migrant workers, who make up a large proportion of the UAE's workforce and many of whom are employed in construction, faced exploitation, abuse and poor living conditions. Media reports suggested that some women survivors of rape did not report the crime to the police for fear that they would be charged with engaging in illicit sex.