Appeal to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates
We respectfully appeal for the immediate release of human rights defenders Dr Mohamed al-Mansoori, Dr Mohamed Abdullah al-Roken and Salem al-Shehhi, arrested between 16 and 18 July.
Dr Mohamed al-Mansoori and Dr Mohamed Abdullah al-Roken have only engaged in the peaceful promotion of the rule of law and of human rights and their arrests are contrary to international law. this. The arrest of Salem al-Shehhi for his peaceful work as a defence lawyer is also contrary to international law.
The arrests of these men took place amid a wave of arrests of people who the Attorney General has said are investigated for “plans which jeopardize the security of the state” and ties with “suspicious foreign parties and organizations (statement reported by WAM news agency, 5 August 2012). According to media reports however, a number of them were engaged in non-violent political debate in the UAE. This in itself does not constitute a crime, and anybody arrested as part of the group the Attorney General referred to should therefore be released as well unless they are to be tried promptly on an internationally recognized criminal charge .
The location of all arrested men should be disclosed immediately. Please also ensure they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment, in accordance with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which the UAE has become a party on 19 July 2012. Lawyers of their choice and their families and relatives should be given access to them, and they should be provided with all necessary medical treatment.
