SAR calls for letters on behalf of Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith of the UAE
August 26, 2015 - Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned over recent reports that Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, prominent scholar of economics, has been arrested and is being held in an undisclosed location.
SAR calls for letters, emails, and faxes respectfully urging authorities in the United Arab Emirates to investigate the situation and to secure Dr. bin Ghaith's release or, pending his release, to make public any charges against him and to ensure that his case proceeds in a manner consistent with the UAE's obligations under international law.
Dr. bin Ghaith is an economist, prominent academic and former lecturer at University of Paris IV (Paris-Sorbonne) Abu Dhabi who has publicly called for political reform and human rights in the UAE. He was previously arrested in April 2011 on charges of publicly insulting the crown, in connection with a petition he signed calling for democratic reforms in the UAE. He remained in custody for seven months, before receiving a presidential pardon on November 28, 2011.
SAR calls for letters, emails, and faxes respectfully urging authorities in the United Arab Emirates to investigate the situation and to secure Dr. bin Ghaith's release or, pending his release, to make public any charges against him and to ensure that his case proceeds in a manner consistent with the UAE's obligations under international law.
Dr. bin Ghaith is an economist, prominent academic and former lecturer at University of Paris IV (Paris-Sorbonne) Abu Dhabi who has publicly called for political reform and human rights in the UAE. He was previously arrested in April 2011 on charges of publicly insulting the crown, in connection with a petition he signed calling for democratic reforms in the UAE. He remained in custody for seven months, before receiving a presidential pardon on November 28, 2011.
Scholars at Risk understands that on August 18, 2015, State Security officers arrested Dr. bin Ghaith in Abu Dhabi. Reports indicate that Dr. bin Ghaith was taken to his home in Dubai, where officers conducted a search and confiscated several items, including electronic memory sticks. He was then taken to an unknown location and his whereabouts remain unknown. He has not been granted access to his family, lawyer or medical treatment. Although the reasons for Dr. bin Ghaith's detention have not been publicly disclosed, reports have noted that his arrest followed a series of tweets by him on August 13 and 14 -- the second anniversary of the Raba'a Square Massacre in Cairo, in which more than 800 protesters were killed -- criticizing the Egyptian regime, an ally of the UAE, for failing to hold anyone accountable for the massacre.
We welcome any additional information that may explain these events or clarify our understandings. Absent this, the facts as described suggest that Dr. bin Ghaith was arrested in retaliation for nonviolent expressive activity, conduct that is expressly protected under international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. His arrest and incommunicado detention not only raise serious concerns for Dr. bin Ghaith's well-being, but also for the ability of intellectuals generally in the UAE to exercise their right to free expression.
Scholars at Risk therefore invites letters, emails and faxes be sent to the appropriate authorities, respectfully urging the appropriate authorities to:
- investigate the situation and secure Dr. bin Ghaith's release or, pending his release, disclose his location and make public any charges against him
- ensure that Dr. bin Ghaith's case proceeds in a manner consistent with the UAE's obligations under international law, in particular internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial, and
- ensure his well-being while in custody, including access to family, counsel and any medical treatment he may require.
We welcome any additional information that may explain these events or clarify our understandings. Absent this, the facts as described suggest that Dr. bin Ghaith was arrested in retaliation for nonviolent expressive activity, conduct that is expressly protected under international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. His arrest and incommunicado detention not only raise serious concerns for Dr. bin Ghaith's well-being, but also for the ability of intellectuals generally in the UAE to exercise their right to free expression.
Scholars at Risk therefore invites letters, emails and faxes be sent to the appropriate authorities, respectfully urging the appropriate authorities to:
- investigate the situation and secure Dr. bin Ghaith's release or, pending his release, disclose his location and make public any charges against him
- ensure that Dr. bin Ghaith's case proceeds in a manner consistent with the UAE's obligations under international law, in particular internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial, and
- ensure his well-being while in custody, including access to family, counsel and any medical treatment he may require.
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