“UAE94” detainee Mohammed al-Mansori forcibly disappeared since June 12, 2023

“UAE94” detainee Mohammed al-Mansori forcibly disappeared since June 12, 2023

Mohammed Ali al-Mansori is an Emirati citizen, who was arrested on July 16, 2012, as part of the “UAE94”. He was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment. He completed his sentence in July 2023 but remains detained. On June 12, 2023, he gave his last phone call to his family. They have lost any contact with him since then.

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.

Mohammed Ali al-Mansori is the former Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah. On July 16, 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-Mansori  was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.

On June 12, 2023, al-Mansori made a final call to his family from within Al Razeen Prison. Since then, his family has not received any communication from him. He is being held incommunicado since that date, with no access or contact with the outside world.

He should have been released on July 16, 2023, but remains in detention.

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-Mansori’s fate and whereabouts.

Timeline

September 12, 2023: MENA Rights Group requests the urgent intervention of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
July 16, 2023:  Al-Mansori finishes his 11-year prison sentence. However, he was not released.
June 12, 2023: Al-Mansori makes his last phone call to his family from within Al Razeen prison.
July 2, 2013: Al-Mansori is sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
March 4, 2013: Al-Mansori’s trial before the State Security Chamber within the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi begins.
July 16, 2012: Al-Mansori is arrested.

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