Self-inflicted wounds: Courting the good-will of Middle East dictators

News that President Biden is traveling to the Gulf region this month to meet with the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a betrayal of his promise to put “human rights at the center of our foreign policy, of the pro-democracy activists and journalists who have[…]

UAE and the impact of spyware on human rights defenders

Introduction In October of last year, NSO Group, a leading Israeli technology company, announced that it would be terminating its contract with the United Arab Emirates. This decision was taken after it was revealed in the UK High Court that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, was using the company’s Pegasus software[…]

Press Release: Tools of Repression in the UAE

If you would like to watch the full event, you can do so here. 1 July 2021, At an online-streamed event, which was held on June 29th, high-level panelists, including academic Matthew Hedges, shed light on the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) “Tools of repression” in a global economic and political context. Aimed at uncovering the[…]

UAE: Uphold International Obligations, Allow Peaceful Dissent

In the United Arab Emirates, political parties do not exist, peaceful dissent is not tolerated, and reports regarding arbitrary arrests and the torture of detainees are highly concerning. A country lacking in democratic institutions, the Government of the UAE further imperiled any hope for democracy by continuing its unprecedented crackdown on dissent. The authorities have[…]

Joint statement: ICJHR and 8 international organisations call for the release of prominent human rights defender Dr. Mohammed Al-Roken

(GENEVA) On Human Rights day which is observed every year on 10 December, the International Center for Justice and Human Rights (ICJHR), in conjunction with a coalition of 8 NGOs, called on the UAE authorities to immediately release human rights defender and lawyer Dr. Mohammed Al-Roken. Eight years have passed since Dr. Mohamed Al-Roken was[…]