“UAE94” detainee Mohammed Al Sidiq detained indefinitely under pretext of “rehabilitation needs”
Timeline
March 30, 2023: The WGAD adopts an Opinion recognising that his detention under the Munasaha regime is arbitrary and violates several provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
September 7, 2022: MENA Rights Group and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center seize the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD).
August 18, 2022: Together with the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center, MENA Rights Group requests the intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights to urge Emirati authorities to release him unconditionally.
April 15, 2021: MENA Rights Group refers case to the Secretary-General on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
March 9, 2021: MENA Rights Group submits follow-up information on Al Sidiq’s situation to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
November 22, 2013: The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopts Opinion No. 60/2013 concerning 61 individuals and declares the detention of Al Sidiq to be arbitrary. Al Sidiq continues to be held at Al Razeen prison.
July 2, 2013: Al Sidiq is sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, followed by three years’ probation. He is then transferred to Al Razeen prison, where he is currently held.
March 4, 2013: Al Sidiq’s trial before the State Security Chamber within the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi begins. At the first session, he is informed of the vague charges brought against him; all the “UAE94” defendants were accused of founding an organisation aimed at overthrowing the government, a charge which they all denied.
April 9, 2012: Al Sidiq is summoned to Al Shahama Prison Centre in Abu Dhabi, where he is arrested. Subsequently, he is held in solitary confinement in a secret location for eight months, where he is subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
December 4, 2011: Al Sidiq’s citizenship is revoked. Later on, the citizenship of three of his children is arbitrarily revoked as a result.