Human Rights Organizations Condemn the Harassment by UAE Authorities against Human Rights Defenders
Press release from 33 NGOs in 12 Arab Countries
Human Rights Organizations Condemn the Harassment by UAE Authorities against Human Rights Defenders
Press release from 33 NGOs in 12 Arab Countries
In a serious development, the UAE authorities issued an order to arrest Dr. Mohamed Al-Mansouri, President of Rights Advocates Association (RAA) and banned him from traveling. The decision has been circulated by the General Department of Security in Abu-Dhabi Police. Also Dr. Mohamed Al-Rokn, Professor of Constitutional law, and Ex President of UAE RAE has been subjected to security disturbances due to demands he made for reforms and improvement of human rights conditions.
http://www.cihrs.org/Press_details_en.aspx?per_id=134&pr_year=2006
It’s worth noting that Dr. Al-Mansoury, RAA president, and Ph.D. holder in General International Law, author of a book entitled “Reform in UAE”, recently become an activist in disseminating human rights culture in UAE, and defending women rights by getting involved in a legal debate on the Personal Status Law. He calls for expanding the jurisprudential circle of options to serve the interest of the family, criminalizing marital violence, and granting the right to citizenship to the children of a female national, since the State constitution stipulates for equality between all.
Al-Mansouri has also drawn the attention to the violations by the UAE against labor rights. He stated how obsolete the labor law is and how the arbitration committees are inactivated, besides to the non-existence of international courts. As well, he pointed out to the lack of commitment on the part of the owners of companies and institutions as well as the employers towards their employees in terms of providing a decent accommodation and health care. Thus Al-Mansouri called for reform and democracy, and condemned the violation of human rights by UAE. Moreover, he disclosed the contact made by the Prosecutor General to an officer in the Presidential Council in relation to a decision of releasing an accused of making frauds of documents and seals of the Nationality & Migration Department, then he let the accused run away from the country. The governing authorities launched a security campaign with a view to deterring and punishing Al-Mansouri, as well as forcing him to quit his human rights activities!
It’s of great importance to mention here that Dr. Mohamed Al-Rokn, an active lawyer in the field of freedoms, and labor rights, pleaded in a number of rights-based cases. He is banned from appearing in UAE media. In this context, one ought also to know that both Dr. Al-Rokn & Al-Mansouri are nominated to run for the elections of the National Council to be held towards the end of this year.
The hereunder signing organization, condemning the UAE authorities in their campaign against human rights activists, demand the following: cancellation of the decision to the effect of arresting Dr. Al-Mansouri and banning him from traveling; ensuring his freedom of movement as stipulated in the International Covenant for Civil and Political rights; respecting international conventions and covenants on human rights; stopping the harassment of Dr. Mohamed Al-Rokn; compensating both Dr. Al-Mansouri & Al-Rokn for the moral and material damages they experienced as a result of the campaign launched by the AUE authorities against them.
– Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
– Habi Center for Environmental Rights (Egypt)
– Syrian Organization for Human Rights
– Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti Violence Studies ( Egypt )
– The Arab Organization for Penal Reform (Egypt).
– Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies
– Saudi Center for Human Rights.
– Palestinian Organization for Human Rights (Lebanon).
– Association for Democracy Development (Egypt).
– The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and the Humans Right in Tunisia.
– Sisters’ Arab forum for Human Rights (Yemen).
– The Program of Human Rights at Al-Khawei Institute (Iraq/UK).
– Egyptian Association for Supporting Democratic Development.
– Association for Jurists (Emirates).
– Khartoum Center for Human rights and Environment Development.
– Amel Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture.
– Shumuu for Human Rights and care of disabled and Community Development (Egypt).
– Al-Haq – Ramallah , Palestine .
– Land Center for Human Rights (Egypt).
– Bahrain center for Human Rights.
– Amman Center for Human Rights Studies.
– Human Rights Information and Training Center – Yemen.
– Egyptian Organization for Human Rights.
– Arab Network for Human Rights Information ( Egypt ).
– The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement
– The Yemeni Organization for the defense of Human Rights and democratic freedoms.
– Human Rights Association for the Assistance of Prisoners (Egypt).
– The Association for the Defense of Right and Liberties “ADDL” (Lebanon).
– Filastiniyat.
– Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance.
– Al-Nadim Centre for Psychological Therapy and Rehabilitation of the Victims of Violence (Egypt).
– Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections.
– The Association For Human Rights Legal Aid (Egypt).
– Iraqi Social Education Team.