UAE Must Free Detained Activists
The hypocrisy of the UAE rulers now came to the attention of public through human rights advocates, particularly the democratic activists, made efforts to have a change over of the dictatorial rule prevalent in the country. These efforts were also in line with the peaceful demonstrations and activities which were taken place in the area.
The activists along with some like-minded persons tried to ensure that a fearless and peaceful co-existence in the UAE. Their intention was so pure in heart.
The move of the UAE authorities to handle the noble-minded and peace-loving democratic activists in an inhuman manner, using all the force of authority, has to be condemned by the whole world.
As part of such democratic movements in the UAE, the following five activists are in detention and under investigation for posing a threat to state security.
Ahamad Mansoor, a vocal human-rights activist who spearheaded an online petition signed by Emirati intellectuals last month, was arrested for his criticism of the government on April 8 by uniformed police officers after security personnel carried out a three-hour unwarranted search of his apartment.
Nasser bin Ghaith, another proponent of reform and professor of economics at the Abu Dhabi branch of Paris' Sorbonne University, was arrested a couple of days after Mansoor.
Emirati authorities also have taken into custody Fahad Salim Dalk, Hassan Ali Khamis and Ahmed Abdul Khaled, three other cyber dissidents and signatories, human-rights activists say.
The online petition posted in March and signed by hundreds of Emirati intellectuals and activists calls for an elected parliament with the ability to implement political and social reform.
All of them were sent to jail despite the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights which reads:
"Take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action" as a result of their participation in human rights activity”.
The UAE officials, on the other hand, arrested, imprisoned and are now speeding fast to prosecute the activists. They justify quoting Article 176 of its Penal Code which reads as under:
Article 176 of the penal code permits a sentence of up to five years in prison for "whoever publicly insults the State President, its flag or national emblem." Article 8 of the code widens the application of the provision to include the vice president, members of the Supreme Council of the Federation, and others.
It may seen that the following provision do not support their present stand of sending the five democratic activists to jail and proceeding with their prosecution.
Article 32 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which has been ratified by the UAE, guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and to impart news to others by any means. The only restrictions allowed on the practice of this right are those imposed for "respect for the rights of others, their reputation, or the protection of national security, public order, public health, or public morals."
It is clear that the authorities have nakedly violated the provisions of Article 32 above.
In this regard, the impression of Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, reading as under is widely accepted.
"In this day and age, with all that is going on in the region, it is disturbing and absurd that the UAE is prosecuting activists simply because they spoke out for democracy," - The international community should end its silence and condemn this mockery of justice.
All measures are to be taken to get the release of the democratic activists. States, NGOs and all the international Human Rights institutions should rise to the occasion and do everything possible, on a war-footing to correct the situation.
More UAE Reports
End Trial of Activists Charged With Insulting Officials - Human Rights Watch
End Trial of Activists Charged with Insulting Officials Amnesty International
