AVT-UAE is launching its first campaign in Geneva and in other cities in Europe aimed at raising public awareness on the issue of systematic torture in the United Arab Emirates.
While the United Arab Emirates strives to build an image of a modern and liberal state, human rights violations in the country continue to be ignored or denied by the authorities. Indeed, this elaborate façade constructed by a sophisticated communication strategy hides a whole other reality.
As a result, torture and other cruel and inhumane treatment remain systematic practices in Emirati detention centers. Many national and foreign citizens, activists, political opponents and human rights defenders are arbitrarily arrested and most of the time held incommunicado and subjected to unfair trials based on confessions extracted under torture.
Torture is practiced with total impunity and with the knowledge of the highest state leaders who not only close their eyes but encourage it directly.
Many prisoners testify to being held incommunicado, threatened with execution, deprived of sleep and food, humiliated, beaten, hung from the ceiling, electrocuted, raped and forced to witness the torture of fellow prisoners, sometimes in the presence of senior officers or political leaders.
It is time to act and denounce this heinous practice and absolute negation of human rights. While it is important to prevent and condemn torture, it is also essential to bring it to the attention of the media and the general public in order to give a voice to those who, deprived of all human dignity, cannot speak out.
The United Arab Emirates must now face their responsibilities. Join us! Take a few minutes, sign the letter and send it.
