20/04/2016
JAL
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
ARE 1/2016
United Arab
Emirates
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
Allegations of arbitrary detention of a human rights defender despite his acquittal, 20/06/2016
as well as of revocation of citizenship of the children of another detained human
rights defender. According to the information received, on 2 July 2013, Mr. Obaid
Yousef al-Zaabi, a human rights defender and online activist, was arrested after
posting a series of tweets criticizing the mass trial of 94 government critics and
reform advocates, known as the “UAE 94”. On 4 August 2013, he was released on
bail due to his poor health. On 12 December 2013, Mr. Al-Zaabi was re-arrested by
State Security officers and charged under the Cybercrimes Law 2012. On 23 June
2014, the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi
acquitted Mr. Al-Zaabi of all charges. However, he remains in the prisoner ward of
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital in Abu Dhabi. According to the information
received, on 7 March 2016, the two daughters and son of Mr. Mohammed Abdul
Razzaq Al-Siddiq, a human rights defender and online activist who was one of the
UAE 94 and is serving a 10-year prison sentence in Al Razeen prison, were
summoned to the Department of Migration in the Emirate of Sharjah, where they
were informed that their citizenship had been revoked. Mr. Al-Zaabi was the
subject of a previous communication sent on 6 August 2013, see A/HRC/25/74,
case no. ARE 4/2013.
A/HRC/33/32
58
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