Human rights organizations urgently express their grave concerns about the enforced disappearance of the Egyptian-Turkish poet Abdulrahman Yusuf El-Qaradawi, who was extradited from Lebanon to the UAE on January 8, 2025. Since that day, his family and legal representatives have lost all contact with him, with no official updates on his detention or well-being, raising alarming doubts about his treatment and rights under international law.
El-Qaradawi was detained in Lebanon on December 28, 2024, after returning from Syria, following an extradition request from the UAE. This request was approved by Lebanese authorities under the belief that he would be treated in accordance with international norms. Yet, since his arrival in the UAE, his family’s inability to reach him has led to heightened fears for his safety and legal rights.
Concerns intensified when several UN Special Rapporteurs urged Lebanon to reconsider the extradition, emphasizing the dangers El-Qaradawi might face. Their credible warnings highlight Lebanon’s obligations to prevent torture and protect fundamental rights, particularly for individuals deported from its territory. The lack of information surrounding El-Qaradawi’s situation only confirms the fears expressed by these UN experts.
To remedy this situation, the undersigned organizations urge the UAE authorities to act in line with international standards. They call for:
1. Clarity regarding El-Qaradawi’s legal status, whereabouts, and detention conditions.
2. Access to regular communication with his family and legal representatives.
3. Assurance of due process and fair trial rights.
4. Safeguards for his physical and psychological well-being, including visits from consular officials.
5. Immediate release and safe return to Turkey, where he holds citizenship.
Human rights groups are alarmed by the enforced disappearance of poet Abdulrahman Yusuf El-Qaradawi following his extradition to the UAE from Lebanon. His family has lost all contact with him since January 8, 2025, igniting fears for his safety. The organizations are demanding clarity on his legal status, communication access, and due process rights while urging the UAE for his immediate release and return to Turkey.
The enforced disappearance of Abdulrahman Yusuf El-Qaradawi highlights serious shortcomings in the legal protections affording detainees their rights. The call for transparency and respect for human rights underlines the importance of due process for maintaining the rule of law. Urgent actions from the UAE and Lebanese authorities are imperative to ensure El-Qaradawi’s safety and return to his home country.
Original Source: www.peopleinneed.net
