Experts Condemn Life Sentences for Human Rights Defenders in UAE, Urge Reform of Counterterrorism Laws

The experts criticized the UAE for using counterterrorism laws in a manner that excessively restrains civil society and civic space.

Independent human rights experts have expressed shock and condemnation over the life imprisonment sentences handed down to 43 individuals, including prominent human rights defenders and activists, by the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal on 10 July 2024. The defendants, part of the so-called “UAE 84” group, were convicted under the 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law for actions dating back to the Arab Spring (2010-2011). Many of them had already spent a decade in prison under national security-related offences.

Among those sentenced to life imprisonment are Mohamed Abdullah Al-Roken, Hadif Rashed Abdullah al-Owais, and Salim Hamdoon al-Shahhi. Al-Roken had completed his original prison term in 2022 but remained detained. Al-Owais and al-Shahhi were also due for release in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Mohammed Ali Saleh al-Mansori, another human rights defender, was similarly detained despite completing his sentence in July 2023.

In addition to the life sentences, 10 other individuals received prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years on charges of “co-operating with al-Islah” and money laundering under the counterterrorism legislation.

The experts criticized the UAE for using counterterrorism laws in a manner that excessively restrains civil society and civic space. They urged the immediate release of the detainees and called for a reform of the country’s counterterrorism laws to align with international legal standards. They emphasized that these individuals should never have been detained for exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Concerns were raised about the fairness of the mass trial and the lack of due process guarantees. The indictment, charges, defense lawyers, and names of the defendants were reportedly kept secret, with defense lawyers facing significant restrictions in accessing case files and court documents. Many defendants were subjected to enforced disappearance, solitary confinement, and incommunicado detention, with some enduring abusive conditions.

The experts also noted that the 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law, which has been criticized for lacking legal certainty and infringing on fundamental rights, does not meet the required thresholds of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination under international law. They pointed out that the alleged acts took place before the law’s enactment, raising concerns about violations of international prohibitions on double jeopardy and non-retroactivity of criminal law.

The experts have been in contact with UAE authorities and previously expressed their concerns about the legal framework and treatment of detainees. They emphasized the devastating impact of long-term imprisonment on human rights defenders and called for an end to such practices.

“Targeting human rights defenders with lengthy prison terms destroys lives, families, and communities,” the experts stated. “States must end this unjustifiable and indefensible practice immediately and forever.”