A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced 43 activists to life imprisonment for terror offences. The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal found them guilty of creating a terrorist organization, sparking criticism from United Nations experts and human rights groups.
The defendants, known as the “UAE 84,” were charged with establishing a clandestine organization called the “Justice and Dignity Committee” for violent and terrorist acts on UAE soil. Most of them were members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood and its local affiliate, the al-Islah party.
In addition to the 43 life sentences, 10 others were jailed for 10 to 15 years for cooperating with al-Islah and money laundering. One defendant was acquitted, and 24 cases were ruled inadmissible.
The activists had been in prison for over a decade since the “UAE 94” trial in 2013, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Despite completing their sentences, they faced new charges of financing a terrorist organization, leading to the recent convictions.
Amnesty International criticized the trial for its lack of transparency, as the indictment, charges, defense lawyers, and defendant names were kept secret by the government. Details only came to light through leaks.
Prominent activist Ahmed Mansoor was among those sentenced to life in prison, sparking international outcry. Amnesty International called on the UAE to revoke the verdict and release the activists, denouncing the trial as a violation of fundamental legal principles.
The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemned the lengthy sentences, lamenting that activists and human rights defenders would remain in prison for advocating for a better future. The UAE, known for its wealth and high-tech innovations, maintains tight restrictions on political activity, with no official opposition or political parties.
This recent crackdown on activists reflects a pattern in the UAE, where political dissent is met with harsh punishments. Despite its modern image, the federation of emirates continues to suppress opposition and limit political freedoms.
