The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) said yesterday that it is deeply concerned by the situation in the Persian Gulf state and asked for information on the treatment of the detained and the reasons for their arrest, adding that those illegally held should be released immediately.

Intimidation

Institute co-chairwoman, leading London-based lawyer Baroness Kennedy QC, said: ‘Disturbing reports of an increasing catalogue of detention, deportation, intimidation and harassment of lawyers by the UAE authorities is creating a climate of fear among the legal profession – seriously undermining the rule of law in the country.’
The announcement came after reports suggested 61 men – including prominent defence lawyers -- have been detained by the UAE on political grounds since March. The targeting of lawyers involved in the ‘UAE 5 case -- concerning the criminal prosecution of on-line political activists – is causing particular alarm
IBAHRI co-chair, Zimbabwe’s Sternford Moyo, commented: ‘The unacceptable treatment of the UAE 5 defence counsel, and other human rights lawyers in the UAE, is in clear opposition to the UN Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
‘Further, the IBAHRI reminds the UAE authorities that that the pretext of national security cannot be allowed to serve as justification for the intimidation, harassment and arbitrary detention of lawyers defending the human rights of UAE citizens’.
The criticism comes little more than a year after the IBA controversially held its high-profile annual conference in Dubai. The meeting was beset with rows over the programme, with the local authorities threatening to pull the plug on the event unless human rights and other elements of the conference programme were amended.

Arab Spring

Meanwhile, the inaugural Trust Women Conference agreed on action to put the rule of law behind women’s right, focussing on defending women in Arab Spring countries.
The two-day event in London brought together leading women’s rights campaigners, including Nobel laureates Aung San Suu Kyi and Shirin Ebadi, Queen Noor of Jordan and Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Actions taken as a result of the conference include major research into the legality of prostitution in different countries, channelling money to grassroots women’s organisations in Arab Spring countries and a call to major international banks to work with law enforcement agencies to identify financial transactions that may indicate people trafficking.