Human rights defender and “UAE94” member Hamad al-Shamsi faces new terrorism charges during the “UAE87” trial
Name(s):
Hamad al-Shamsi
Status:
Self-imposed exile
Profession:
Executive Director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC)
Nationality:
Emirati
Hamad al-Shamsi is an Emirati human rights defender. In 2013, together with the other members of the group known as the “UAE94”, al-Shamsi was convicted in absentia to 15 years of prison based on vague national security-related charges by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi. On September 12, 2021, al-Shamsi was included in the government’s terror list. He is currently living in exile in Turkey. On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, before which al-Shamsi is being retried in abstentia for new terrorism charges.
Hamad al-Shamsi is the Executive Director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC), a non-profit organisation that seeks to shed light on the plight of prisoners of conscience detained in Emirati prisons and advocates on their behalf. He was also member of the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah), an association that had been operating in the UAE since 1974 but was banned by the authorities in March 2014.
Al-Shamsi belongs to the "UAE94", a group of Emirati scholars, activists, lawyers, doctors and human rights defenders who were put on mass trial in 2013, after signing a petition calling for greater democratic reforms within the Emirates, including the establishment of democratic elections for all members of the Federal National Council.
On July 2, 2013, al-Shamsi was convicted in absentia to 15 years of prison based on vague national security-related charges by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi.
On September 12, 2021, Al Shamsi, together with Saeed Al Tenaiji, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, and Mohammed Saqer Al Zaabi, was included in the UAE’s national terrorism list, under the UAE Cabinet’s ministerial resolution No. 83 of 2021.
On September 15, 2021, MENA Rights Group submitted an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Following our urgent appeal, on January 25, 2022, mandate holders of the UN Special Procedures issued a communication to the UAE authorities concerning al-Shamsi. In it, they expressed grave concerns about the inclusion of al-Shamsi on the Government’s terrorist list, as the reason he was on it was because of his legitimate human rights activities.
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-Shamsi and his co-defendants were read out, with al-Shamsi in absentia. Al-Shamsi 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, featuring three members of the SSA as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and 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): |
Hamad al-Shamsi
|
| Status: |
Self-imposed exile
|
| Profession: |
Executive Director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC)
|
| Nationality: |
Emirati
|
Hamad al-Shamsi is the Executive Director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC), a non-profit organisation that seeks to shed light on the plight of prisoners of conscience detained in Emirati prisons and advocates on their behalf. He was also member of the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah), an association that had been operating in the UAE since 1974 but was banned by the authorities in March 2014.
Al-Shamsi belongs to the "UAE94", a group of Emirati scholars, activists, lawyers, doctors and human rights defenders who were put on mass trial in 2013, after signing a petition calling for greater democratic reforms within the Emirates, including the establishment of democratic elections for all members of the Federal National Council.
On July 2, 2013, al-Shamsi was convicted in absentia to 15 years of prison based on vague national security-related charges by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi.
On September 12, 2021, Al Shamsi, together with Saeed Al Tenaiji, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, and Mohammed Saqer Al Zaabi, was included in the UAE’s national terrorism list, under the UAE Cabinet’s ministerial resolution No. 83 of 2021.
On September 15, 2021, MENA Rights Group submitted an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Following our urgent appeal, on January 25, 2022, mandate holders of the UN Special Procedures issued a communication to the UAE authorities concerning al-Shamsi. In it, they expressed grave concerns about the inclusion of al-Shamsi on the Government’s terrorist list, as the reason he was on it was because of his legitimate human rights activities.
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-Shamsi and his co-defendants were read out, with al-Shamsi in absentia. Al-Shamsi 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, featuring three members of the SSA as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and 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.