Urgent appeal to end the enforced disappearance of poet Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi and calling for his release

To:  

Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi

Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai  

Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs  

Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior  

Excellency Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Justice  

We, the undersigned human rights organisations, express our deep concern regarding the enforced disappearance and the lack of information surrounding the due process, whereabouts, and well-being of Egyptian-Turkish poet and writer Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, following his extradition from Lebanon to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 8, 2025. Since that date, his family and legal representatives have been unable to contact him, and no official statement has been issued regarding his detention status or legal situation.  

Given the importance of upholding transparency and the rule of law, we respectfully seek clarification on Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s whereabouts, legal status, and conditions of detention, in line with international human rights standards and the UAE’s commitment to due process and fair trial guarantees.  

Abdulrahman Yousuf al-Qaradawi was detained in Lebanon on December 28, 2024, upon his return from Syria, following an extradition request reportedly issued by the UAE’s Public Prosecutor via the Lebanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He was subsequently investigated by the Lebanese Public Prosecutor, and on January 8, 2025, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved his extradition to the UAE, based on assurances from the UAE government to the Lebanese authorities that he would be treated in accordance with international standards and that his safety would be guaranteed.  

Since his arrival in the UAE, his family and legal representatives have been unable to contact him or obtain any official information about his legal status. This has raised serious concerns about his well-being and access to fundamental legal safeguards, including regular communication with his family and legal counsel, disclosure of his whereabouts, and regular consular visits.  

On January 8, 2025, several UN Special Rapporteurs and experts issued a press release urging the Lebanese authorities not to extradite Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi to the UAE, citing serious concerns for his safety. In their statement, the experts called on the Lebanese authorities to reconsider Mr. al-Qaradawi’s case and reject his extradition, in line with Lebanon’s obligations under international law to prevent torture and enforced disappearance and to uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals on its territory.  

The ongoing enforced disappearance of Mr. al-Qaradawi and the lack of any information about his status, imprisonment condition, or access to legal representation* and communication with his family unfortunately confirms the concerns raised by these UN experts. 

In light of the above, we urgently call upon UAE authorities to adhere to international standards through the following measures:  

1. Clarification regarding Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s current legal status, whereabouts, and conditions of detention.  

2. Facilitation of communication between him, his family, and his legal representatives, in accordance with international human rights standards.  

3. Guarantees that he is afforded all legal safeguards, including access to due process and fair trial rights.  

4. Assurances regarding his physical and psychological well-being including allowing consular visits from the Turkish embassy.  

5. Release of Mr. al-Qaradawi and his safe return to Turkey, where he resides and holds citizenship.  

Signatory organisations:

1. Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
2. Egyptian Front for Human Rights ( EFHR)
3. Sinai Foundation for Human Rights
4. Al-Nadeem Center
5. HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
6. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
7. Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms
8. Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression
9. Refugee Platform in Egypt
10. Union for Democracy Organization
11. Diwan Democratic Foundation
12. Arab Center for Law and Society Studies
13. Andalus Institute for Tolerance Studies and Anti-Violence
14. Egypt Wide for Human Rights
15. Center for the Advocacy of UAE Prisoners
16. FairSquare 
17. Revolutionary socialists movement
18. Law and Democracy Support Foundation 
19. Lebanese Center for Human Rights 
20. Human Rights Watch 
21. Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)
22. Gulf Centre Human Rights (GCHR)
23. the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP)
24. Legal Agenda 
25. Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy ( TIMEP)
26. Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center - EDAC 
27. Najda for Human Rights 
28. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) 
29. EuroMed Rights 
30. SMEX 
31. People In Need 
32. MENA Rights Group
33. Hurriyat Center for Political and Strategic Studies
34. EFDA International for Human Rights
35. Haqqhom for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience in Egypt
36. Palestinian Lawyers Association
37. Arab Foundation for Supporting Civil Society and Human Right
38. Human Rights Monitor 
39. Egyptian coordination for freedoms and rights 
40. Cedar Centre for human rights 
41. ALQST for Human Rights 
42. PEN America
43. REDWORD for Human Rights & Freedom of Expression
44. The Solicitors' International Human Rights Group