The Urgency of COP28: Advocating for the Release of an Activist in the UAE

COP28: US Should Press UAE for Activist’s Release

Free Ahmed Mansoor to Set Better Tone for COP28 Climate Conference

August 30, 2023

As the 28th Conference of Parties on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) approaches, human rights groups are calling on the United States government to publicly and urgently demand the release of Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor from arbitrary imprisonment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This joint letter comes as the UAE prepares to host the important climate conference from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

Mansoor’s Unjust Imprisonment

Ahmed Mansoor, who was awarded the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2015, has been unjustly detained in isolation since security forces raided his home in March 2017. Throughout his detention, Mansoor has faced intimidation, harassment, and death threats from the UAE authorities and their supporters. The Emirati government even targeted him with a sophisticated spyware attack.

It is deeply concerning that Mansoor is the last human rights defender openly working in the UAE. The silence from the US government regarding his imprisonment has been especially troubling. As the UAE attempts to improve its international image ahead of the COP28 conference, it is crucial for the US to exert public and private pressure on the Emirati authorities to end Mansoor’s unjust detention.

UAE‘s Responsibility as Host of COP28

It is important to note that the UAE is set to host COP28. As the host country, the UAE should demonstrate its commitment to fostering an open and inclusive dialogue at the conference. Releasing Mansoor immediately and unconditionally would be a significant step in that direction. Moreover, the UAE should ensure that observer organizations attending COP28 can participate effectively, safely, and meaningfully.

Unfortunately, the UAE has increasingly restricted civic space within the country over the past decade, criminalizing peaceful expression, association, and assembly. The charges on which Mansoor was convicted were solely based on his human rights advocacy. The UAE‘s state news agency falsely accused him of “spreading false news” to harm the state’s reputation. This baseless accusation highlights the government’s disregard for freedom of speech and the importance of human rights advocacy.

The Urgency of Releasing Mansoor

Ahmed Mansoor has endured years of unjust imprisonment, grossly unfair trial proceedings, and continued mistreatment in detention. He has been held in solitary confinement without access to reading materials, television, or radio. Furthermore, the UAE authorities have denied him essential items such as eyeglasses and basic personal hygiene items. These conditions clearly violate the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

The UAE‘s refusal to allow independent observers to visit Mansoor only raises further concerns about his well-being. It is imperative that the UAE authorities release him immediately and guarantee his safety and well-being.

A Call for Action

Mansoor’s case is not an isolated incident in the UAE. At least 62 Emiratis are currently arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges, and the government continues to incarcerate 58 of them even beyond their sentences. These individuals, including Mansoor, are being targeted for their peaceful criticism and activism, and their release should be a priority for the UAE.

As the US engages in discussions at COP28, it has a crucial role to play in advocating for human rights and freedom of expression. The US government must use this opportunity to publicly call on the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor and other unjustly imprisoned individuals. Washington’s engagement and pressure on the issue should extend beyond the conference and be a continuous effort to ensure justice for Mansoor and all human rights defenders in the UAE.

Conclusion

The release of Ahmed Mansoor is not only a matter of justice but also crucial for setting a better tone for the upcoming COP28 conference. The UAE‘s commitment to human rights and freedom of expression will be under scrutiny as it hosts this important gathering. Releasing Mansoor, along with other imprisoned human rights defenders and peaceful critics, would serve as a powerful signal that the UAE values civil society and is committed to fostering an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and marginalized populations can be represented.

The United States, as a key participant in COP28, has the responsibility to hold the UAE accountable for its human rights obligations. By urging the release of Ahmed Mansoor and other activists, the US can demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights values and set an example for other nations attending the conference.

By prioritizing human rights and freedom of expression, the international community can work towards a more just and sustainable future, both within and beyond COP28.

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