Maryam Al Balushi, detained by Emirati authorities since 2015
Timeline
September 29, 2021: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2021 report on reprisals.
April 28, 2021: Al Balushi is sentenced to three years in prison for “publishing information that disturbs the public order”.
April 15, 2021: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2021 report on reprisals.
January 18, 2021: The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issues Opinion No. 61/2020, establishing that Al Balushi is detained arbitrarily and calling on the authorities to immediately release her.
September 30, 2020: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2020 report on reprisals.
May 1, 2020: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2020 report on reprisals.
April 30, 2020: MENA Rights Group submits a request for opinion to the WGAD.
March 8, 2020: Al Balushi attempts suicide in Al Wathba prison.
February 23, 2020: Al Balushi begins a hunger strike.
Early February 2020: Solitary confinement begins in reprisal for refusing to provide self-incriminating confessions.
September 19, 2019: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2019 report on reprisals.
July 30, 2019: New charges are brought against her relating to her endeavour to raise public awareness of her case.
February 12, 2019: Several UN mandate holders send urgent appeal UA ARE 2/2019 to the Emirati authorities in relation to Al Balushi’s detention.
June 5, 2017: Al Balushi’s sentence is upheld.
May 8, 2017: Her appeal commences.
February 22, 2017: Al Balushi is sentenced to five years in prison.
October 24, 2016: Trial begins.
April 12, 2016: Al Balushi is transferred to Al Wathba prison.
February 2016: Al Balushi appears before the State Security Prosecution and is formally charged.
November 19, 2015: Al Balushi is arrested and disappeared.