Rights groups voice concern over deteriorating health of imprisoned UAE dissident

Intentional human rights organizations have expressed serious concern over the health condition of prominent Emirati pro-democracy campaigner and rights activist Ahmed Mansoor, warning that his life is at grave risk as he has been detained in solitary confinement for more than three years without basic necessities.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Persian Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR) said in a joint statement that Emirati authorities denied the 51-year-old activist adequate warm clothing and access to hot water between December 2017 and March 2018.

Mansoor was diagnosed with hypertension later in 2018 and has not been provided appropriate medication ever since, putting him at increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

The two organizations, citing sources with direct knowledge of the pro-democracy campaigner’s detention conditions, highlighted that the Emirati officials have forced him to sleep on the floor without a bed or mattress in a small isolation cell.

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“Mansoor is suffering through his fourth winter in a small, dirty isolation cell because he dared to speak up for human rights in a country hell-bent on silencing anyone that doesn’t toe the official line,” Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said.

He added, “The years-long isolation and dire conditions have no doubt taken a toll on his mental and physical health.”

The Emirati authorities should release Mansoor immediately and unconditionally, and barring that, end his solitary confinement and provide him with the needed medication, warm clothing and blankets, and a mattress and bed, Human Rights Watch and GCHR said.

“Authorities in the UAE should celebrate the hard work of Ahmed Mansoor to defend the civil and human rights of his fellow citizens in the UAE instead of putting him in prison,” Khalid Ibrahim, executive director of GCHR, said.

“His ill-treatment or torture will never make him give up his rights. We have known him for many years as a courageous defender. The more he is targeted, the more he has shown his determination to achieve his desired goal – which is basic human rights for all,” Ibrahim added.

On December 31, 2018, the UAE Federal Supreme Court upheld a 10-year prison sentence against the activist, and ordered him to pay a fine of 1 million dirhams (US $270,000).

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Mansoor, an electrical engineer and poet, was arrested at his home in the Emirate of Ajman in March 2017. He was later charged with “publishing false information and rumors, promoting a sectarian and hate-inciting agenda, and using social media to harm national unity and social harmony and damage the country's reputation.”

In 2011, the Emirati activist was convicted of “insulting officials” and sentenced to three years in jail. He was released after serving eight months but was stripped of his passport and not allowed to leave the country.

Mansoor has campaigned for freedom of expression, civil and political rights in the UAE since 2006.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International and HRW, have frequently called on the Emirati government in the past to release Mansoor, arguing that his detention goes against freedom of expression and opinion.

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