Human rights defender and “UAE94” member Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi faces new terrorism charges
Name(s):
Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi
Status:
Self-imposed exile
Profession:
Former Public Prosecutor and head of the Jurists Association
Nationality:
Emirati
Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi is an Emirati human rights defender. In 2013, together with the other members of the group known as the “UAE94”, al-Zaabi 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-Zaabi was included in the government’s terror list. He is currently living in exile in the UK. On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, before which al-Zaabi is being retried in abstentia for new terrorism charges.
Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi is a former Public Prosecutor and head of the Jurists Association in the UAE. 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-Zaabi belongs to the UAE 94, 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-Zaabi 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-Zaabi, together with Hamad Al Shamsi, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, and Saeed Al Tenaiji, 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-Zaabi. In it, they expressed grave concerns about the inclusion of al-Zaabi 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-Zaabi and his co-defendants were read out, with al-Zaabi in absentia. Al-Zaabi 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): |
Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi
|
| Status: |
Self-imposed exile
|
| Profession: |
Former Public Prosecutor and head of the Jurists Association
|
| Nationality: |
Emirati
|
Mohammed Saqer al-Zaabi is a former Public Prosecutor and head of the Jurists Association in the UAE. 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-Zaabi belongs to the UAE 94, 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-Zaabi 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-Zaabi, together with Hamad Al Shamsi, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, and Saeed Al Tenaiji, 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-Zaabi. In it, they expressed grave concerns about the inclusion of al-Zaabi 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-Zaabi and his co-defendants were read out, with al-Zaabi in absentia. Al-Zaabi 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.