2011-11-04 16:30:37

Rights coalition denounces trial of UAE activists


(November 04, 2011) A coalition of international human rights organizations on Thursday accused the United Arab Emirates of violating international legal standards by prosecuting five jailed campaigners for political reforms in the oil-rich Gulf federation. The statement by the 7-member alliance, that includes Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, marks the highest level international pressure over the trial. The five activists were arrested in April and charged with insulting the UAE's rulers and endangering the country's security. If convicted on all charges, the defendants who have no right to appeal could face decades in prison. A verdict is expected on Nov. 27. The coalition of rights groups said the legal proceedings at Abu Dhabi's Federal Supreme Court have been ``grossly unfair'' and that the case against the activists has ``no basis in international law.'' The activists, including a prominent blogger and an economics professor who has lectured at the Abu Dhabi branch of Paris' Sorbonne university, were charged with anti-state crimes after signing an Internet petition calling for constitutional changes and free elections. Political activity is severely restricted in the UAE, an alliance of seven semiautonomous states, each ruled by a sheik who inherits the post. There are no official opposition groups in the emirates, and political parties are banned. UAE authorities moved aggressively to keep demands for political change, inspired by the Arab Spring revolts, out of their federation that includes the glitzy city-state Dubai.








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