“UAE94” detainee Hadef al-Aowis risking new sentence for terrorism charges during the “UAE87” trial
Name(s):
Hadef Rashed Abdallah Nasser al-Aowis
Status:
Arbitrarily detained
Year of birth:
1958
Profession:
Member of the teaching staff at the United Arab Emirates University
Nationality:
Emirati
Date of arrest:
Hadef Rashed al-Aowis is an Emirati citizen, who was arrested on September 11, 2012, as part of the “UAE94”. He was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. He completed his sentence in September 2022 but remains detained. On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, where al-Aowis is being retried for new terrorism charges.
In March 2011, after a group of 133 Emirati academics, judges, lawyers, students, and human rights defenders signed a petition addressed to the President of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s Federal Supreme Council calling for democratic reforms, the UAE’s State Security Apparatus (SSA) initiated a campaign of arrests against the individuals who signed the document.
Hadef Rashed al-Aowis is a former teaching staff member at the United Arab Emirates University. On September 11, 2012, he was arrested as part of the “UAE94” for signing the petition calling for democratic reform in the UAE.
Arrested individuals were later sentenced in the UAE’s largest mass trial, known as the “UAE94”, before the Federal Supreme Court.
On January 27, 2013, the 94 defendants were charged with founding, organising and administering an organisation aimed at overthrowing the government, on the basis of article 180 of the penal code.
On July 2, 2013, the Emirati authorities convicted 61 of the 94 defendants, in addition to eight individuals in absentia. Al-Aowis was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Al-Aowis completed his sentence in September 2022, but under the pretext of “rehabilitation needs”, pursuant to the UAE’s Counter-Terrorism Law and the Munasaha Centre Law, the authorities have extended his detention indefinitely. He suffers from ongoing violations, as he continues to this day to be held arbitrarily.
On July 18, 2023, al-Aowis made a final call to his family from within al-Razeen Prison.
On September 12, 2023, MENA Rights Group requested the urgent intervention of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, calling on them to urge the Emirati authorities to take action to clarify al-Aowis’ fate and whereabouts.
On December 1, 2023, al-Aowis was able to call his family from the inside of an unknown facility belonging to the State Security Apparatus (SSA).
On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, involving 87 defendants. In the inaugural hearing, the charges against al-Aowis and his co-defendants were read out. Al-Aowis and others are charged with new terrorism crimes, namely, for establishing another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil.
The second hearing tool place on December 14, 2023, where three members of the SSA testified as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC) requested the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The third hearing took place on December 21, 2023, and the entire trial was conducted secretly, with a notable absence of local media coverage.
On January 11, 2024, the fourth hearing took place with no media coverage. There have been reports of torture during this trial according to EDAC.
| Name(s): |
Hadef Rashed Abdallah Nasser al-Aowis
|
| Status: |
Arbitrarily detained
|
| Year of birth: |
1958
|
| Profession: |
Member of the teaching staff at the United Arab Emirates University
|
| Nationality: |
Emirati
|
| Date of arrest: |
|
In March 2011, after a group of 133 Emirati academics, judges, lawyers, students, and human rights defenders signed a petition addressed to the President of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s Federal Supreme Council calling for democratic reforms, the UAE’s State Security Apparatus (SSA) initiated a campaign of arrests against the individuals who signed the document.
Hadef Rashed al-Aowis is a former teaching staff member at the United Arab Emirates University. On September 11, 2012, he was arrested as part of the “UAE94” for signing the petition calling for democratic reform in the UAE.
Arrested individuals were later sentenced in the UAE’s largest mass trial, known as the “UAE94”, before the Federal Supreme Court.
On January 27, 2013, the 94 defendants were charged with founding, organising and administering an organisation aimed at overthrowing the government, on the basis of article 180 of the penal code.
On July 2, 2013, the Emirati authorities convicted 61 of the 94 defendants, in addition to eight individuals in absentia. Al-Aowis was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Al-Aowis completed his sentence in September 2022, but under the pretext of “rehabilitation needs”, pursuant to the UAE’s Counter-Terrorism Law and the Munasaha Centre Law, the authorities have extended his detention indefinitely. He suffers from ongoing violations, as he continues to this day to be held arbitrarily.
On July 18, 2023, al-Aowis made a final call to his family from within al-Razeen Prison.
On September 12, 2023, MENA Rights Group requested the urgent intervention of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, calling on them to urge the Emirati authorities to take action to clarify al-Aowis’ fate and whereabouts.
On December 1, 2023, al-Aowis was able to call his family from the inside of an unknown facility belonging to the State Security Apparatus (SSA).
On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, involving 87 defendants. In the inaugural hearing, the charges against al-Aowis and his co-defendants were read out. Al-Aowis and others are charged with new terrorism crimes, namely, for establishing another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil.
The second hearing tool place on December 14, 2023, where three members of the SSA testified as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC) requested the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The third hearing took place on December 21, 2023, and the entire trial was conducted secretly, with a notable absence of local media coverage.
On January 11, 2024, the fourth hearing took place with no media coverage. There have been reports of torture during this trial according to EDAC.