The United Arab Emirates in 2023 continued to curtail freedoms, detain prisoners of conscience, and hold restrictive climate policies, despite hosting critical events like COP28. Authorities imposed severe penalties on dissent and left outdoor workers vulnerable to extreme heat, while many remained excluded from basic labor rights. The government’s controversial leadership in climate affairs contradicted its actions, showcasing a complex struggle between international engagement and domestic repression.
In 2023, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced ongoing scrutiny for its restrictive policies on free expression and peaceful assembly, which continued to stifle dissent and suppress individual freedoms. The nation held at least 26 prisoners of conscience, detained solely for their beliefs, while laws imposed severe penalties for expressions deemed damaging to the leadership. Despite assurances of safe spaces for dialogue during the COP28 climate summit, the reality remained grim, with no significant legislative change to combat the nation’s repressive measures. The UAE was poised to host the 28th annual global Conference of Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai later this year, under the controversial leadership of Sultan Al Jaber, head of the national oil company. His leadership raised eyebrows given the UAE’s ongoing exploitation of fossil fuels, which contradicted its climate commitments toward limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, migrant outdoor workers continued to face unbearable conditions with inadequate protections against extreme summer heat, exacerbating health risks. Of the migrant workforce, a significant majority remained excluded from unemployment benefits and were subjected to a minimal ban of 2.5 hours of outdoor work during peak summer months, insufficiently addressing extensive health hazards. As for arbitrary detentions, the fate of those charged in mass trials, including Ahmed Mansoor and Mohamed al-Roken, hung in uncertainty amid allegations of torture and mistreatment, reflecting a troubling pattern of human rights violations endorsed by the government. Even family connections were severed, as authorities restricted communication for detainees, depriving them of crucial familial support systems amidst protracted solitary confinement. The shadow of the death penalty loomed over the judicial landscape as courts continued to impose capital sentences, contrasting skewed cases of pardons that raised further questions about the fairness of the judicial process. Ultimately, the UAE’s situation illustrated a nation grappling with its identity under the weight of international accountability amid restrictive social and environmental policies.
The UAE’s complex interplay between international diplomacy and domestic policies is highlighted in 2023, a year marked not only by pivotal global events but by ongoing challenges to human rights. February saw the UAE host the International Defence Exhibition & Conference, which attracted numerous countries including Israel and the USA, a stark reminder of its position in the geopolitical arena. Following this, the climate conference COP28 emerged as a central theme for the UAE, again placing it under global scrutiny especially given the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, a leading oil executive, to oversee discussions on climate commitments. With a significant portion of its population composed of migrant laborers, the nation’s approach to labor rights and environmental safety has come under intense examination amidst allegations of abuses and failing climate commitments, making 2023 a critical juncture for the UAE’s human rights record.
In essence, 2023 painted a troubling portrait of the UAE, where the glow of international events such as COP28 contrasted sharply with the shadow of crackdowns on individual freedoms and human rights abuses. The government’s failure to amend oppressive laws, coupled with inadequate protections for workers amid extreme climate conditions, underscored a critical need for reform. As the world looked towards the UAE for leadership in climate action, the challenges faced by its citizens highlighted a persistent struggle for basic human dignity and justice, reinforcing the need for accountability on the international stage.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
