“Urgent Appeal: Global Leaders Must Push for the Release of Ahmed Mansoor in Preparation for COP28”

Arbitrary Detention and the Continued Persecution of Ahmed Mansoor

On October 22nd, Ahmed Mansoor, an Emirati human rights defender, will mark his seventh consecutive year spending his birthday behind bars. This arbitrary detention has drawn international attention and criticism, particularly as the global community prepares to gather in Dubai for the annual COP28 climate conference in November. Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Aya Majzoub, has called for the international community to condemn this injustice and exert pressure on the Emirati authorities for Mansoor’s immediate release.

A Champion of Human Rights

Ahmed Mansoor has long been a prominent advocate for human rights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even after the mass arrests and grossly unfair trials of human rights advocates Mohamed al-Roken and Mohamed al-Mansoori in 2012-2013, Mansoor courageously continued his work openly. His commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in his country made him an iconic figure. However, the Emirati government arrested Mansoor in March 2017, openly acknowledging that his arrest was a result of exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Inhumane Treatment in Detention

Since his detention, Mansoor has been subjected to solitary confinement and denied access to books, writing materials, and essential hygienic items. These conditions are not only cruel and degrading but may also amount to psychological torture, given the prolonged isolation from human contact. The mistreatment of Mansoor and other peaceful dissidents by the UAE authorities highlights the urgent need for action from the international community.

The Urgent Need for International Pressure

The ongoing arbitrary detention of Ahmed Mansoor and other peaceful dissidents underscores the imperative for the international community to utilize their influence and pressure the Emirati authorities. It is crucial that all those arbitrarily detained be promptly released, and restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and association be lifted, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming COP28 conference.

The Role of the International Community

The UAE will be hosting COP28, a significant global gathering focused on climate change, starting on November 30th, 2023. However, with the restrictions on civic space and the clampdown on freedom of expression and association, the conference risks lacking any credible Emirati voices advocating for human rights in the country. It is therefore vitally important for the international community, including global leaders attending COP28, to address these concerns and demand the release of Ahmed Mansoor and other arbitrarily detained individuals.

The Power of Public Condemnation

Publicly condemning the UAE’s unjust treatment of Ahmed Mansoor and other human rights defenders is a necessary step toward exerting pressure on the Emirati authorities. By shedding light on these human rights abuses, the international community can demonstrate its commitment to upholding fundamental principles of justice and human dignity.

Conclusion

The continued arbitrary detention of Ahmed Mansoor and the repression of peaceful dissidents in the UAE demand urgent attention and action from the international community. As the COP28 conference approaches, it is crucial for global leaders to use their platform to speak out against these injustices, call for the immediate release of Mansoor and others, and advocate for the protection of human rights in the UAE. Failure to do so would compromise the credibility and integrity of the conference, undermining its goals of addressing climate change and sustainable development.

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