Rori Donaghy2013-05-23T19:40:57-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=rori-donaghyCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Rori DonaghyGood old fashioned elbow grease.British Politicians Shouldn't Ignore UAE Rights Abusestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31120282013-04-18T16:32:33-04:002013-04-19T06:56:57-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/jokingly referred to himself as the 'mayor of the eighth emirate'. Another joke from Boris was his comment that he would 'rather concentrate on business opportunities' than speak about human rights abuses while on the trip. The Mayor of London is either ignorant of, or uninterested in, the case of two Londoners who have been tortured while in a Dubai prison.
Londoners Grant Cameron and Karl Williams, along with Suneet Jeerh from Essex, have been in a Dubai prison since July 2012 after police claimed to have found them in possession of synthetic cannabis known as 'spice'. The three men say they have been regularly beaten, threatened with guns and subjected to electric shocks, allegations that have been backed up by a medical report from torture expert Dr. Frank Arnold.
Boris Johnson is by no means the first British politician to put trade first when it comes to the UAE. In February, London School of Economics (LSE) professor Dr. Kristian Coates-Ulrichsen was due to speak at an LSE-American University of Sharjah co-hosted conference until he arrived at Dubai airport where he was detained and denied entry for his 'non-constructive' views on Bahrain. The LSE promptly cancelled the conference as a lack of academic freedom was brought sharply into focus. David Willetts, Minister for Universities, visited Dubai shortly after this incident where he described the UAE as 'one of the liveliest centres for international universities'.
Willetts was more concerned with raising funds for universities than confronting the reality that in the UAE academic freedom is severely restricted and it is perhaps not the best place for British universities to be 'setting up'. Sadly, this kind of money-grabbing approach is not surprising when we build a complete picture of British politicians' engagement with the Emirates. David Miliband was paid $229,518 to act as foreign affairs advisor to the UAE government, lagging only slightly behind the $263,678 Gordon Brown was paid for four speeches he gave in the Gulf.
On April 30th the UAE's President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, is due to meet with the Queen and Prince Phillip at Windsor Castle before going onto meet with David Cameron at No. 10. Presumably the issue of tortured British citizens and comprised academic freedoms will not be on the table for discussion.
Indeed, while British royalty and politicians charm the autocratic ruler of the repressive Gulf state numerous Emirati judges, human rights lawyers and student leaders will be languishing in an Abu Dhabi prison. The ongoing 'fundamentally unfair' trial of 94 political activists, where allegations of torture have gone uninvestigated, will no doubt be off the agenda as every penny of investment is sought after.
In the heady days of early Arab Spring optimism David Cameron spoke of a 'responsibility to stand up against regimes that persecute their people'. Not so when a lucrative arms deal is on the table, however, with Britain poised to sell 60 Typhoon Jets to the Emirates worth several billion pounds.
When it comes to the UAE, British values whither when the temptation of untold riches is on offer. Certain politicians have grabbed all they can, be it for personal gain or departmental funds, and ignored abuses against British and Emirati citizens alike.
With Johnson happy to ignore the torture of citizens he is supposed to represent, Willetts keen to turn a blind eye to the compromising of academic freedoms and Cameron avoiding responsibilities he set himself, Sheikh Khalifa can be sure of a pretty easy ride when he comes to the UK. Instead, he should be questioned on why British citizens have been tortured, told that academic freedoms cannot be compromised for funding and criticized for imprisoning citizens calling for democratic reforms. Sadly, it seems almost certain that this won't be the case.]]>Living With Autismtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30439842013-04-10T19:00:00-04:002013-04-12T06:58:12-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/
The first is a story from a family holiday in the summer of 2002. My brother, Dylan, was three years old and we had decided to go to Hawaii for a summer break. Sitting on Wakiki beach, my parents and I took in the splendour of the beach paradise that is Hawaii. Dylan, on the other hand, was less concerned with the scenery and more taken by sand. Most children build sandcastles, bury siblings or dig holes but Dylan sat for the whole week and consistently shoveled handfuls of sand into his mouth. With each handful Dylan put in his mouth he let out a cry of confusion and disgust.
I was 15 and when I wasn't splashing around in the waves I would stare at Dylan wondering why on earth he kept attempting to eat sand. I couldn't understand why my little brother would keep doing something that he clearly didn't enjoy. I began to see that Dylan isn't able to control his urges, even when it is something that clearly upsets him.
The second story comes several years later. Dylan was around seven years old and I was sat in the living room of our family home with him and my mum. Although we were becoming aware of the severity of Dylan's autism by this point, he had never spoken a word, we were still obsessed with coming up with intuitive ways of encouraging Dylan to speak. This time we were sat with a pack of raisons, Dylan's favourite snack, and trying to encourage him to say 'mine' before giving them to him. Dylan never said 'mine' but we convinced ourselves that he had said it. I held onto that moment for such a longtime convinced that one-day Dylan would be able to speak. Looking back, I understand the painful hope that autism brings; no one could tell us the boundaries of Dylan's learning difficulties so we were left to hope for things that would never happen.
Dylan is now 14. My brother is non-verbal and suffers from severe learning difficulties. He requires 24-7 care, which my parents split between them. Recently, I have moved back home and been reminded of how difficult it is living with a child that is severely autistic. Dylan is hard work: he never sits down, requires care to use the toilet and is regularly awake through the night. Now there is the added problem of puberty and the issues that adolescence raise. Throughout all of this my parents care for Dylan completely, even feeling depressed and empty when the other is looking after him during a rest period.
That's the thing. When we are confronted by Dylan's smiling and beautiful face it is impossible not to have your heart melt. Dylan may be tiring, he may require constant care and he may not be able to communicate his needs but he has incredible power to make you love him. Whether it is coming downstairs to find him smearing butter over the kitchen or finding him fully clothed in the bath, one smile from Dylan and you can't help but smile back.
I used to have a recurrent dream in which Dylan would speak to me and tell me he loved me. I used to wake up sad, sometimes in tears, desperate to hear his voice speak to me. I don't have that dream anymore. Over the course of his short life Dylan has become adept in showing pure, unadulterated love. He may not be able to say the words, but when he hugs me or kisses me (a kiss meaning a lick for Dylan) I know he loves me.
I sit and look at Dylan playing in the garden sometimes. I watch him bouncing on his trampoline and I see inspiration. I'm 26 now and work in peace building and human rights. Dylan is the reason I am trying to contribute something positive to the world. When I look at him I see no prejudices, no hate and an inability to hold a grudge. All I see is my beautiful, innocent brother who loves all around him. Dylan made me understand that all that divides us is surmountable.
We are lucky as a family living with autism. Dylan has never shown aggression to anyone. Many other families do not have the same experience. It hasn't been easy at all however; autism brings incredible stress on a family that often leads to irreparable fractures. We are no different. My parents separated six years ago, which, although sad, allowed for them to share caring responsibilities and have a rest from time to time. Things are still difficult, not for me, but for them as the future of an autistic child is never clear. Dylan is getting stronger and taller all the time, which is becoming ever more challenging for both my parents to deal with. While we cannot predict Dylan's future, he will always have our love and our time.
Sometimes people ask me if I would change Dylan if I could. The answer is of course I would. If I could give Dylan the independence he will never have, provide him with the skills to communicate when he is feeling sick or allow him to make himself some food then I would do it in a flash. Desiring this doesn't lessen my love for him, it just means that I would want Dylan to be able to do the things many of us take for granted.
April is 'Autism Awareness Month'. It is a chance for families to tell their stories and improve understanding of autism. When Dylan was a toddler I remember having to explain autism to almost everyone I met. Now, when I say I have an autistic brother I rarely have to explain what it is. No doubt this increased awareness is down to the good work being done by autism societies across the world. Perhaps social media is also a factor: my dad tells the story of living with Dylan on Twitter along with many, many other parents of children with autism.
The Autism Society says that autism prevalence is now one in every 88 children in America. It is important that we learn more about autism because it affects so many families. We who live with autism must speak more about its challenges and society must listen. Caring for a child with autism is stressful and parents often have little respite. More must be done to support those living with autism and it is only through increased understanding that people will begin to listen. This month, seek out the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon and listen to the endless compelling tales of those living with autism. We who live with autism are ready to share our stories with you.]]>Selling Arms to the UAE Is Illegitimate and Unwisetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.20887292012-11-07T19:00:00-05:002013-01-07T05:12:01-05:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/a joint defense partnership has been announced that may include the sale of 60 Typhoon jets worth $7 billion. Cameron has said that such sales are "legitimate and right" whilst stating he supports the "opportunity of moving towards more open democracies" in reference to the Arab Spring. However, is it indeed legitimate, or strategically wise, to promote arms sales to a country that continues to be intolerant of any political dissent?
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Cameron spoke of the family relationship between the UK and UAE stating that there are no "no-go areas" including the issue of human rights. There was no talk, however, of the 63 detainees in the UAE that has left the tiny Gulf state with one of the highest per capita rates of political prisoners in the region.
Cameron did speak of how the rule of law is vital in every governance system although failed to mention how this principle has been abandoned by the UAE in its crackdown against peaceful political reformists. There was no mention of the torture, enforced disappearances and lack of due process in the case as documented by Human Rights Watch.
The issue of human rights in the UAE is a highly sensitive one, as recent criticism has sparked passionate defense from Emirati politicians and commentators alike. Sensitivity to these issues should not lead to silence, however, as serious violations of rights continue to occur against both political dissenters and the labour rights of expatriate workers.
Setting aside human rights concerns, the prudency of such deals can also be questioned if Cameron's strategy is to promote 'peace and stability'.
The potential deal to sell 60 Typhoon fighter jets to the UAE will supplement a regime that already has a private mercenary army employed, amongst other reasons, to 'take control of civil uprisings'. Made up of Columbian mercenaries, this army was established by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed al Nayan, and exposed by a New York Times report in 2011. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, sent troops into Bahrain last year to aid the violent repression of protests.
By promoting the sale of arms to the UAE, the Prime Minister has aligned himself with a regime that has clearly displayed its intentions to deal with potential civil unrest in a brutal manner.
As Gulf populations begin to call for increased political participation monarchs have displayed their steadfastness in refusing to accept such demands. The past two weeks in Kuwait have seen scenes of mass civil disobedience as people refuse to accept electoral law amendments proposed by the Emir. The authorities response has been to exact beatings and to arrest opposition leaders.
The UAE authorities are sure to be glancing nervously across to Kuwait and sadly appear prepared to take a similar course of action. With families of the detainees in the Emirates calling for a sit-in at Altakbeer Square to demand the immediate release of prisoners, public displays of discontent appear to be bubbling in the UAE.
Rather than equipping these regimes with the capability and legitimacy to repress calls for reform, the UK should be supporting the advancement of civil liberties and promoting democratic values whilst condemning abuse of fundamental human rights.
Continuing to sell arms to the UAE is neither legitimate nor wise.
Taking into consideration human rights concerns, through his establishment of a private mercenary army the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has demonstrated his intention to resist civil uprisings with violent repression. Given the handling of the 63 political prisoners, it is hardly legitimate to arm a regime with such intentions as calls for increased political participation are emerging.
From a pragmatic sense, it is unwise to arm a regime that has an increasingly uncertain future given its unwillingness to engage with citizens calling for increased democratic accountability. Potential future governors of the UAE would be unlikely to honour contracts with a country that equipped their predecessors with the ability to repress calls for change.
The role of the UK in the UAE should not be to provide legitimacy to a regime that has seen it fast eroding in recent times. The UK should impress upon our Emirati counterparts that respecting civil liberties, enshrining human rights and engaging with citizens calling for political participation is the path to peace and stability. By acting as a travelling salesman for the arms trade David Cameron is doing nothing more than promoting autocracy, legitimizing human rights abuse and diminishing the image of the UK as a defender of civil liberties.]]>Torture in the United Arab Emiratestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.19089192012-09-24T08:13:00-04:002012-11-24T05:12:01-05:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/
Their lawyer, Abdulhameed al-Kuamaiti, was permitted to the court in what was the first occasion for any of the detainees to be seen since their arrest. Their appearance in court was the first time that al-Kuamaiti had seen his clients after weeks of intimidation and appeared to confirm the fears of torture that have been circulating.
According to those present, all six appeared disheveled, disoriented and distressed. Eisa al-Sari was barely able to walk and Rashid al-Shamsi complained that he was weak after being given sleeping pills. Salem al-Shehi, a lawyer who was arrested after visiting the State Security Prosecution office in an attempt to represent Dr. Mohamed al Roken, struggled to stand, had lost a significant amount of weight and was unable to follow proceedings. In the court, the judge refused to explain to al-Kuamaiti the legal basis for the men's continued detention.
The sixty-one detainees in the UAE make up the largest crackdown against political dissent in the country's short history and represent the full spectrum of opposition. As yet, no charges or evidence has been brought against those detained. Those held include respected academics, lawyers, Islamists, a former president of the Jurists' Association and even a member of the royal family of the northern emirate, Ras al Khaimah.
Fears for the myriad of detained judges, lawyers and human rights activists have intensified after the testimony of a Syrian, Abdulelah al-Jadani, implicated the UAE in carrying out torture. Al-Jadani, who arrived in the Emirates in 2008 for work, was arrested by fifteen plain-clothed security officers on May 8th 2011 and subjected to eighteen days of torture.
According to Al-Jadani, he was kept in a windowless 3 by 2 metre cell and taken to a room every afternoon where he was beaten, whipped, held in painful stress positions and hung from the wall by his arms and legs. He was kept in solitary confinement for three months after the interrogations ended before eventually being released in January 2012.
Allegations of torture have resulted in fears deepening for the health of Ahmed Ghaith Al-Suweidi. Al-Suweidi, one of the sixty-one detainees, was arrested on March 26th and taken to Al-Shahama detention centre in Abu Dhabi before being transferred to an unknown location where he has remained ever since.
Details of the torture allegations were revealed on Twitter, by the son of the detained human rights lawyer Dr. Mohamed al Mansoori, and have shocked many within Emirati society. Ahmed Mansoor, a prominent human rights activist who was arrested and pardoned last year after eight months in prison, believes that 'people at different levels are shocked to know that the detainees are being subjected to physical and psychological torture. This is not going to make people responsible for the state security apparatus popular, not to mention the security services themselves.'
The shock at the treatment of detainees is set against the background of growing frustration amongst the educated elites and those living in the poorer northern emirates. Dr. Christopher Davidson of Durham University, expert in Gulf affairs, explained in a recent article that 'there has been mounting frustration among the more educated sections of the national population, especially with regard to corruption, lack of transparency and human rights abuses'. Davidson goes on to depict the burgeoning inequalities in terms of 'a widening wealth gap ... and not all of the national population are being provided with adequate economic opportunities. This is leading to many ... in the northern emirates beginning to voice their dissent'.
Altogether this depicts a situation that is unsustainable. In the past the UAE has sought to buy political acquiescence through state handouts, yet, as pointed out by the economist Nasser bin Ghaith, a former fellow inmate of Ahmed Mansoor, 'benefits and handouts assume citizens [Emiratis] are not like other Arabs or other human beings ... this only delays change and reform, which will come sooner or later'. As for the authorities' attempts to quell dissent through a brutal crackdown, this will only serve to exacerbate the increasing discontent amongst poorer nationals and deepen the frustration of the educated elites tired of various abuses of power.
As Dr. Kristian Coates-Ulrichsen so eloquently explained in an article last month, 'all political systems - monarchical or republican, democratic or authoritarian - must adapt to and change with the times. Failure to do so on one's own terms, 'from above', leaves open the possibility that pressures will eventually build-up from below.
In a country where Emiratis only make up 15% of the population, expatriates, multinational businesses and the international community should listen carefully.
Throughout the Arab Spring we have heard our leaders speak of supporting those who wish to advance democratic values and who have vowed to protect the values of freedom of speech and association. Thus far, none of these principles have been upheld with regard to the Emirates.
The lack of political will can no longer be tolerated as Western leaders' past and future legitimacy rests on such issues. Furthermore, the reliable testimonies concerning the maltreatment of prisoners and accusations of enforced disappearances require immediate attention. As a matter of urgency, the international community must ensure the following: for the location of detainees to be disclosed; family visitation and legal counsel to be granted; for those held to be charged and tried in a fair and just manner; and to dismiss any evidence obtained during torture. In order for fundamental human rights to be protected, it must first be understood that it is the deafening silence of the world that has allowed the UAE to continue torturing their citizens with ever increasing impunity.]]>How to Obtain a Free Permanent Holiday to Thailandtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.16022322012-06-16T08:46:37-04:002012-08-16T05:12:24-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/
The government will take care of the flights and the arrangements with the Thai government. You need never drudge through the dank, rainy streets of London again. No more will you have to push your way past the crowds of people on the northbound Northern Line platform to get back to your one bedroom Camden flat where the boiler gave up months ago.
Finally, life is giving you something back. Thailand is calling.
How, you might ask, do I take advantage of this too-good-to-be-true offer?
Well, let me take you through the process. Bear with me, however, as it may seem slightly bizarre, but keep your eyes on the prize.
First, you have to take a slight detour. Transform yourself into an Emirati, a national of the United Arab Emirates. This part is crucial, as the offer is only open to those who are indigenous to the Emirates.
Next, defend human rights. Be principled. Stand up to the ills of society, face the fear of a security service long linked with maltreatment of prisoners and demand that basic political freedoms are met.
The next part is a little unsavoury as you're going to have to spend a few months in prison. You'll be subjected to a farcical trial and convicted of endangering state security, all whilst you're in prison with your fellow inmates being paid to write reports on your character.
Never fear though because the Western cavalry will roll into town and demand that 'prisoners of conscience' be released. The authorities will bestow a royal pardon upon you and you'll be released, although your documents including your passport will be retained as your UAE citizenship has now been removed.
Here comes a tricky part. Without a citizenship it is going to be difficult to remain resident in your own country, the UAE, never mind anywhere else. Never fear, however, as the ever benevolent UAE authorities have got the answer and an that has cost them so you'd better be pleased.
The good news is that the authorities have paid the Comoros Islands $200 million so that the stateless citizens of the UAE can now be citizens of these islands. How lovely. This means that when the authorities decide you are no longer deemed worthy of your home country's citizenship, they can provide you with another one. It may seem worthless and bizarre, but stick with me.
So, we've come quite far. You're a lifelong resident and citizen of the UAE. You've called for democracy, subsequently been convicted of endangering state security and now left with Comoros Islands citizenship after being stripped of your original citizenship.
The good thing is that at least you've been released. You can at least go home to your family. You've learnt your lesson and you will quietly get on with your life.
Wrong. A few months later the state security will come calling again. They will rearrest you. They won't, as is becoming the norm, provide you with any official documentation or even admit they have arrested you, but needless to say when you are sat in prison the piece of paper saying you are there becomes slightly irrelevant.
The authorities will now tell you the game is up. You have to leave. They will, however, give you a choice of destination. The choice is Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Thailand.
We all know at this point the choice is easy: it's Thailand.
And so we have it. Although you have never visited Thailand you now have an all expense paid trip to Thailand, courtesy of the UAE government. The trip of a lifetime.
The only caveat is that you can never return to your home. You must leave your family. You must never come back.
Now, I must reveal my source that told me about this wonderful opportunity. It is Ahmed Abdul Khaleq.
Ahmed Abdul Khaleq is currently in prison in the UAE, awaiting his fate of being forced to leave his country for Thailand.
Thing is, Ahmed doesn't want this opportunity. He loves his country. So much so, that he did and suffered everything I have described here. He stood up for the fundamental rights of citizens in his country and suffered terribly as a result.
Ahmed is due to be deported any moment now. As we have come to learn with the UAE authorities, it is unclear exactly when this will happen as no formal legal process has been followed. We have to rely on phone calls made by Ahmed to his family.
This time there are no signs of the cavalry arriving. The West have bigger problems to deal with; but if only their gaze could turn towards the UAE even fleetingly then this terrible miscarriage of justice could be averted.
Ahmed Abdul Khaleq sits in a UAE prison awaiting deportation to a country he has never visited and has no desire of living in.
On reflection, this opportunity doesn't seem so attractive. I think I'll savour my journey home tonight on the Northern Line. Who cares if the train is packed and the boiler is broken.
If only Ahmed could have the same freedom of choice.]]>Act Now to Stop Human Rights Abuses in the UAEtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.15520462012-05-29T07:11:46-04:002012-07-29T05:12:04-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/Friday's massacre in Houla left the world in a state of shock. The brutality with which human beings can treat each other has left many of us angry, frustrated and disillusioned. The situation in Syria is horrifying and it must serve as a stark warning to us all.
When opposition voices begin to emerge and a clear movement towards democracy is crystalising, our role as the international community is to foster dialogue between those voices and the regime. We must encourage our fellow nation-states to engage with their citizens and explore developments in their partnership as human beings to enshrine future stability of the national unity.
At a fundamental level, we must stand as one when citizens are being treated inhumanely, especially when a governing power abuses the constitution. The constitution of a state serves as a contract between governing authority and citizen. If a state repeatedly breaks this contract with impunity, surely it is the role of the international community to stand up and demand that the basic constitutional rights of citizens are met.
Clearly, the reference point here is the UAE. Since my last piece about the spread of arbitrary arrests, those incarcerated remain so and more people have also been detained. The limited exposure that the abuses in the UAE have gained has focused on authorities suppressing an Islamist movement; this analysis is ill advised as it covers up the widespread abuses taking place by the authorities.
On 22 May, Ahmed Abdul Khaleq was rearrested in a covert manner after his father had been called to the Immigration Department to complete paperwork. Ahmed was part of the secular UAE 5 group that caught the headlines last year following their arrest & prosecution after calling for democratic reforms. Since his release Ahmed has closed his Twitter account and been quiet in his human rights activism.
Ahmed is now facing deportation to the Comoros Islands. This may sound a little odd given that Ahmed is a lifelong resident and citizen of the UAE, but the authorities have an agreement with the Comoros that their stateless citizens can gain citizenship there after a 2009 agreement where the UAE government reportedly paid the Islands $200 million.
Ahmed has been rearrested for his past human rights activities. It is a clear sign from the authorities that anyone questioning the status quo will be treated ruthlessly.
Furthermore, details have emerged about the treatment of the other fifteen individuals being detained by the state. A Ministry of Interior source has informed us that those held have been subject to periodic beatings as the authorities seek to gain forced confessions of guilt. Given the fact that those held have been denied access to family visits and legal counsel, with their official location also withheld, fears are growing about their ongoing welfare.
Clearly, the events taking place in the UAE are indicative of a state that is committed to protecting their absolutist method of authority, stopping at nothing to ensure those who question the status quo are removed. The rearrest of Ahmed Abdul Khaleq is the surest sign yet that the authorities are not simply aggressively attacking a burgeoning Islamist movement but are systematically and ruthlessly dealing with the widespread calls for democratic reform from a diverse range of ideological standpoints.
Now, here is the role we can play as the UK.
With one million of our tourists visiting the UAE each year, 100,000 of our citizens living there and bilateral trade due to reach £12.5 billion by 2015 we clearly have a significant relationship with the Emirates. Indeed, Dubai relies heavily on the expatriate workforce that is resident there.
William Hague, Alistair Burt and the wider Foreign & Commonwealth Office must impress upon our UAE counterparts that they must stick by the constitutional agreement they have with their citizens. If they arrest individuals for activism, they must charge them formally, allow legal & familial visitation and provide them with a fair trial. We must insist on this as a significant trading partner of the UAE.
As citizens, it is our duty to hold our politicians to account and we must demand that they adhere to the principle of fundamental human rights for all. The Foreign Office website states that we support human rights in the UAE, yet hitherto we have remained silent on the abuses taking place there.
Now is the time to stand up and be counted. In the shadow of the massacre in Houla, we must realise that our role in protecting other human beings must be preemptive not reactive. The UAE is at a critical juncture where the national unity may be preserved and their citizens gain the movement towards democracy that they so desire.
This window is a small one, however, and we must seize our opportunity to foster dialogue between the authorities there and the citizens of the UAE. Indeed, it is the only way our precious bilateral trade links will be preserved.
It is impossible to say what could have happened in Syria if attempts had been made to foster dialogue, rather than a violent uprising, but one thing is clear. If we do not seize our opportunity to foster such discussions in the UAE, then the future looks grim for all given that the authorities continue to detain all those who call for democratic reform.]]>Arbitrary Detentions Spread in the UAEtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.14949342012-05-08T19:00:00-04:002012-07-08T05:12:08-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/spike in the reporting of the abuses taking place in the UAE.
Sadly, this reporting has focused on propagating the idea of ideological warfare between the country's rulers and Islamists. With almost every headline containing the word 'Islamist', the rulers of the UAE will no doubt be satisfied that this is the angle that has been taken.
When seen through the prism of ideologies, the focus on human rights abuses is lost. The UAE authorities are arbitrarily detaining individuals and completely undermining the judiciary system. The UAE seven have become the UAE 13 over the past two weeks, with arrests spreading and detentions becoming ever more covert.
Since my last piece outlining the current abuses in the UAE, we have witnessed the rearrest of the activist Saleh al-Dhufeiri as well as that of the engineer, Salim Sahooh. All of the other men detained continue to be held, with Sultan al-Qasimi being held under armed guard in the palace of Ras al-Khaimah and both retired judge Ahmed Za'abi and Ahmed al-Suweidi being held at unknown locations.
Saleh al-Dhufeiri was rearrested after morning prayers outside a mosque in Ras al-Khaimah on 29 April. Ten plain clothed security men arrested him, put him the back of a car and took him away to an undisclosed location. His son, Hassan, was left asking the authorities where his father had been taken. After contacting the local authorities, he was told that car registration plate that his father had been taken away in was not in their records and thus, did not exist. Al-Dhufeiri was rearrested after criticising the arbitrary detentions undertaken by the UAE secret service. His current location remains undisclosed and no charges have been brought against him.
Incidentally, al-Dhufeiri had his Twitter account shut down by the authorities and was forced to open another; the authorities clearly see no red lines when it comes to contravening civil liberties.
Salim Sahooh's arrest is demonstrative of the more vicious side to the UAE authorities. On 30 April, Sahooh's house was visited by plain clothed security men and his house was searched from 8pm until 6am the next day. At the end of the long search, he was arrested (without warrant) and taken to an undisclosed location. He remains incommunicado, without access to legal representation. This whole situation took place in front of his children, leaving them terrified.
Whilst these cases are spreading, it is vital to note that the abuses by the authorities have not begun recently. Over the past two years the UAE authorities have intimidated hundreds of individuals associated with calling for democratic reform, with many losing their jobs as a result.
The latest case of an individual losing their job is Salim Handoon al-Shehhi. Following a television appearance where he criticised the UAE authorities for carrying out a growing number of arbitrary detentions, he lost his job at a privately owned law firm. Just two months previous al-Shehhi had been awarded an employee award for outstanding performance; he was given no specific reason when sacked. The authorities clearly did not appreciate his bravery in standing up to these abuses.
These latest developments describe a security service that is wildly out of control and acting without respect for the rule of law. When a security service is acting such as this, the most important issue is the abuse of human rights. Those being detained have been arrested without warrant, refused access to legal representation, have had no formal charges brought against them and in some cases held at undisclosed locations.
The headlines must change. We have a duty and responsibility to speak up when fundamental human rights are being abuses. The UAE has a constitution that contains articles protecting their citizens and their rights. At the moment, this is being flagrantly abused by the security services. We must demand that the authorities adhere to the legal processes, by bringing charges against those held, disclosed their location and granting access to legal counsel.
These men, and all those involved with supporting the calls for democratic reform, have set out their requests transparently. To be clear, they have called for the Federal National Council to have full jurisdiction over the law making process and for that body to be elected by universal suffrage.
When considering if this story should be reported as the authorities fighting off a tide of growing Islamism in the UAE, it is vital to remember the case of the UAE five from last year. Those five men called for exactly the same reforms as those currently detained and they were broadly secular in their political outlook. Rather than reading as suppression of Islamism, the headlines should be reading "UAE authorities suppressing democracy."
If that isn't enough to understand that the authorities are simply stamping on any voice calling for democracy, know that their intimidation stretches across their borders.
I was due to visit the UAE last week, to accompany a journalist on a visit to speak with family members of those currently detained. Hours before my departure, I was telephoned by a contact in the UAE and told that should I travel there, I was in danger. It became clear that my last piece detailing the human rights abuses did not go down well in some quarters.
It may be an inconvenient truth, given our vast trade links with the UAE, but surely we can no longer ignore the events taking place in the Gulf State. If not for the principle of humanitarianism, then for our trade links there we must speak up. If the naivety of the rulers continues in the same vein, those very links might be put in danger.
Finally, the ruler of Ras al-Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi, has come out and said he has heard there are people attempting to tamper with the security of the UAE. He couldn't be more wrong, as those calling for democratic reform are trying to protect the security of the UAE through engaging citizens in the political process to foster a public that will feel included by the state in decision making processes.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi also spoke of the open channels of communication with the state and citizens. My question to him would be, if communication is encouraged then why are there currently thirteen men being held without charge after calling for dialogue with the authorities?]]>Human Rights in the UAEtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.14462032012-04-24T19:00:00-04:002012-06-24T05:12:01-04:00Rori Donaghyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rori-donaghy/
In the past, the rulers have distributed wealth amongst their citizens in exchange for political acquiescence. Following the advent of the Arab Spring, this has begun to unravel as the lack of democratic institutions has become clear. Of course, when the indigenous population makes up less than 10% of the population it is a little easier to ignore or suppress any whispers for democratic reform.
Last year, the case of the UAE 5 gained some traction in the West as five individuals were prosecuted for undermining state security after calling for increased democratic accountability in their country. After the international community's gaze fleetingly turned towards the UAE, the five were granted pardons and the focus swiftly moved onto other matters.
Now our attention must turn back towards the UAE. In the past months arrests by the security forces have been spreading, best exemplified by the case of the UAE 7. Like the five before them, these seven individuals became disillusioned with the democratic falsity of the Federal National Council. Elections in 2006 exposed the farcical nature of this pseudo-democratic body, where half of the forty seats on offer were elected by a few thousand handpicked citizens chosen by the authorities.
Taking to social media sites, the seven men began to call for democratic reform in the shape of a Federal National Council that possessed full jurisdiction over the law making process with the body being fairly elected by universal suffrage. After organising a petition calling for this the seven were stripped of their citizenships without any legal process being carried out by the authorities.
This took place at the end of 2011 and until recently the seven have been suffering the kind of state anonymity usually associated with a Hollywood film. Unable to access bank accounts, lacking a license to drive their cars and unable to travel because their passports have been confiscated, the group have been cut off from society and essentially deleted by the state.
Having returned only last week from visiting the UAE, I was able to gain some insight into the dire situation these men have been living in. The sad consequence of their situation has meant some have not seen their young children in years or have lost businesses, all as a result of having called for a reasonable dialogue with the authorities.
Whilst in the UAE, I learnt about the latest shocking development in this case. The seven have now been detained in custody by the security services since 9 April. In that time there have been no charges brought against them by the state. The authorities have, however, demanded that the seven seek another nationality immediately or face 'dire consequences'. The men have, quite rightly, refused as their citizenship revocation did not involve a trial nor involve any of the legal processes set out by the UAE constitution. Quite what those 'dire consequences' entail is yet to become clear.
If this was not enough to demonstrate the disregard with which the authorities are treating the law, the arrests have been spreading.
Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, cousin of the ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, has been arrested for
supporting the call for democratic reform via Twitter. When he was arrested his whereabouts were unknown for the proceeding 24 hours, before he was transferred to the home of Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi, the ruler of the Emirate. Negotiations are ongoing regarding Sultan's potential extradition to Abu Dhabi, all of this taking place outside the realm of a judiciary system.
Running alongside this case, is the one of Judge Ahmad Za'abi. Za'abi is a retired judge who is respected throughout the UAE for his knowledge of the legal system. Indeed, since his retirement he has taught at Sharjah University in law. Recently, he was arrested whilst in the presence of Ahmed al-Suweidi (one of the UAE 7), having demanded the security forces produce a warrant for the arrest of al-Suweidi.
Za'abi was then imprisoned for two weeks before a court ruled he must be released. Za'abi was not released, at the request of the security services, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. A particularly disturbing story in light of the man's standing amongst the legal community in the UAE.
Combine this with the hundreds of individuals who have either lost their job or, more commonly, had their salaries witheld for supporting calls for democratic reform and a sufficiently grim picture is completed.
So, where do we go from here? Well, the lawyer representing the seven, Mohammed al-Roken, appears to be taking a reasonable line. He is working hard to bring the case to the courts of the UAE, demanding that the legal process is respected.
The international community must stand up and be counted. We all must demand that the rule of law is respected in the UAE and that legal processes are what govern the fate of not only these men, but all those who are calling for democratic reform.
Finally, consider the requests of those at hand. They want to elect a legislative body that has jurisdiction over the law making process in their country. They do not want regime change. They want to protect the future of their country. Surely the rulers of the UAE will abandon the naivety that has plagued so many of the Middle Eastern autocrats and realise that unless they heed these calls their futures are doomed.
If you are one of the million Brits who will visit the UAE this year, think about this as you are seduced by the Lionel Richie-led dancing water fountain in Dubai. Think about it and realise that we as human beings have a collective responsibility to demand that each and every one of us are treated equally no matter the tax free rewards on offer.]]>
