On Monday 08 July the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) hosted a panel discussion as a side event to the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, on ‘The Rule of Law in Jeopardy in the UAE’. The event was held at the Geneva Press Club and on Zoom.
UN Special Rapporteurs have expressed growing concerns about the rule of law being under threat in the UAE, including in respect of new so called ‘terror’ charges brought against 84 persons from civil society groups for calling for democratic reforms in the UAE. The UAE authorities have just responded to the UN experts without addressing the violations identified and have claimed that the allegations are ‘premature’ as the proceedings are ongoing.
The judgment stage is however now imminent with death sentences and long terms of imprisonment expected. It is vital more than ever that a spotlight is shone on what is really happening in the justice system in the UAE and the glaring lack of genuine human rights protections. An expert panel including family members of current prisoners, former detainees and human rights lawyers will examine current developments and what steps can be taken to uphold the rule of law.
Moderated by Anisa Kassamali, Barrister & Human Rights Lawyer, speakers for this panel event included: Louise Price, Barrister & Executive Committee Member, Bar Human Rights Committee; Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Human rights defender charged in abstentia in the UAE 94 trial; Matthew Hedges, British academic detained in the UAE; and Falah Sayed, Human Rights Officer, MENA Rights Group.
View the recording on YouTube here.
