Reliable sources have confirmed that leading Emirati human rights activist, Ahmed Mansoor, has been on hunger strike for nearly three weeks in protest over his inhumane detention conditions and unfair trial.
He is allegedly being held in solitary confinement, in a cell with no bed or running water, and with no access to a shower, local sources told the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, who added that is health had deteriorated significantly since being detained in al-Sadr prison.
Ahmed Mansoor is one of the world’s most prominent human rights defenders. Over the years he has worked extensively with international organizations to advocate for basic civil and political rights in the UAE. He has a seat on the advisory committee at Human Rights Watch and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights.
In May 2018, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “defaming the UAE through social media channels.” An appeal to overturn this verdict was rejected on 31 December 2018.
Prior to his trial Ahmed Mansoor was held without charge for over a year in an unverified location and was denied the right to appoint a lawyer of his choosing. Nor did he have access to independent legal counsel during his trial.
His case has sparked significant international condemnation. Notably, from a number of United Nations human rights experts, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on human rights (DROI), the European Parliament and multiple human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, who have repeatedly called for the annulment of his sentence and his immediate and unconditional release.
ICFUAE Statement
“ICFUAE reiterates its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Mansoor. Pending this, however, we urge the Emirati authorities to treat him in line with the UN’s Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which guarantees the provision of medical care and sanitary prison conditions. To ensure this, it is imperative that international NGOs be allowed access to al-Sadr prison to visit Mansoor. In reality, all that Ahmed is guilty of is raising awareness of the systematic human rights violations in his country. He must be released. “
ENDS
- For more information or comment, please contact ICFUAE at joe@icfuae.org.uk or 44 7979 6666 98
2.For the original story, please see https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/2109