23 April 25
The United Arab Emirates has designated 11 political dissidents and their relatives as “terrorists” in what a human rights group said is a sweeping crackdown on dissent.
The UAE in January announced a decision unilaterally adding the 11 individuals and eight companies to its terrorism list for their alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
“The authorities did not inform these individuals or entities prior to the designation, nor was there any opportunity to respond to or contest the allegations,” Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.
According to HRW, all eight companies are “solely registered in the United Kingdom” and are either currently or formerly owned by Emirati dissidents and their relatives.
At least nine of the 11 designated individuals are political dissidents or their relatives. Only two of them have been accused or convicted for a terrorism offence, according to HRW.
Earlier this year, the UAE came back under the spotlight when Lebanon forcibly deported Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi to the UAE.
Qaradawi, the son of prominent deceased Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was critical of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who came to power after a 2013 coup against Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi.
Individuals designated “terrorists” by the UAE are subject to immediate asset freezes and property confiscations even if they reside outside the UAE.
The designation also criminalises communication with those deemed “terrorists” and imposes penalties of up to life in prison. The draconian measures have isolated these individuals from their families, especially family members who reside in the UAE.
“I have called several times and they don’t respond, which was never the case before,” one individual told Human Rights Watch.
“Now I am calling my mother, my sisters and no one is picking up the phone. It is a clear thing… Previously I was able to call my mother to talk to her, but now I am not able to reach out to her. This is part of the pressure on the family there.”
SOURCE : Middleeasteye
