The announcement that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been invited to attend the United Nations climate conference, COP28, by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sparked controversy. This controversial move, if it happens, would be a first since the Syrian war started in 2011. At the same time, many human rights defenders and civil society actors are denied the opportunity to have a voice at this conference. The decision by the UAE to invite a leader who has been credibly implicated in crimes against humanity against his own people would likely complicate proceedings and has significant implications.
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Complexities Surrounding the UAE’s Invitation
The decision by the UAE to invite the Syrian President comes at a time when COP28 is scheduled to address critical issues affecting the world, including phasing out fossil fuels and stopping new oil and gas expansion. Yet, the UAE itself has shown little leadership on these particular issues. Instead, it has shown an eagerness to help Bashar al-Assad enhance his global reputation despite the crimes committed against his own people. The repeated visits by al-Assad to the UAE demonstrate the country’s willingness to overlook the atrocities committed during his reign.
It is not entirely clear if members of Emirati civil society would be allowed to participate meaningfully in COP28‘s climate talks, given the UAE‘s severe repression and the complete closure of its civic space. The UAE has been known to carry out a sustained assault on freedom of expression and association, arresting and imprisoning officials in government critics and activists. Ahmed Mansoor, a leading Emirati human rights defender, is among these individuals. It is worth noting that the president of COP28 is the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE‘s foremost fossil fuel company, despite recent announcements of plans to expand all aspects of its fossil fuel operations. The optics of this particular appointment, combined with the UAE‘s invitation to al-Assad, raise legitimate concerns over the priorities of the conference.
Implications of the UAE‘s Invitation
The United Nations climate conference has been viewed as an essential platform for countries to come together to address issues affecting the world. However, the invitation of a leader credibly implicated in vast-scale war crimes and displaced millions of people raises serious questions about the priorities of the conference. The war crimes committed in Syria show no signs of abating, with humanitarian aid continually being weaponized by the government and diverted from those opposing al-Assad’s rule. Just recently, Syrian government forces dropped banned cluster munitions on the internally displaced in northwest Syria, an indication of the ongoing war crimes.
Furthermore, Arab countries, led by the UAE, have normalized ties with al-Assad’s government without laying down the gauntlet on accountability. The recent readmission of Syria by the Arab League without demanding accountability for grave abuses committed over the last 12 years is an indication of the direction taken by these countries.
Editorial and Advice
The invitation of al-Assad by the UAE during the climate conference, COP28, highlights the differences in priorities between countries concerning climate change efforts. There is no clear indication of how the UAE‘s invitation of al-Assad will play out, but one thing is sure—the invitation will complicate proceedings and further delegitimize COP28. Countries attending the conference should ensure that those responsible for gross violations of human rights, such as al-Assad, are held accountable for their actions. The benefit of such actions is that environmental protection is intertwined with respecting human rights, a theme that COP28 should consider during deliberations.
Furthermore, countries should use COP28 as an opportunity to call on Arab countries and the UAE to rethink their normalization efforts with al-Assad’s government. The Arab League should demand accountability for the widespread atrocities committed under his reign. Finally, COP28 provides an opportunity for countries to focus on the severity of climate change and the urgency to take immediate action on this issue. Leaders in attendance should take advantage of this critical opportunity rather than bringing up other controversial topics that derail the conference’s objectives.
<< photo by August de Richelieu >>