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United Arab Emirates:
Freedom of expression is missing despite a decision banning imprisonment for press crimes
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United Arab Emirates: Human Rights Activist Expelled From His Job For Criticizing Human Rights Situation And Expressing Opinion
Cairo on 3/1/2010
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information , ANHRI , said that the expulsion of human rights activist "Muhammad Ali Mansouri," from his post as a legal adviser of the governor of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a serious violation of freedom of expression. Mansouri had participated in a talk show on human rights in the Gulf in 2009 in which he criticized repressing freedom of expression in the UAE and human rights situation there.
The expulsion decision was verbally delivered and until the moment Mansouri received no written notification. However the decision has been already implemented.
On the TV show, Mansouri pointed out some shortcomings of freedoms’ situation in his country, criticizing the bill of information activities, which is pending ratification , regarding it as a step backward in media freedoms. He said that torture rate had decreased at police stations, but is indeed still practiced by some other security services. Mansuri did not conceal his fear of being exposed to violations as a result of his blunt opinions. He said, "The human rights activist might as well risk his job and sometimes his career is terminated ", which came true a few days after airing the show.
It has to be mentioned that Mansouri was banned from traveling nearly two years ago when security seized his passport and he was detained early June 2009 without declared reasons
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information called on the UAE government to fulfill its promises to respect freedom of opinion and expression. This incident confirmed that Ras Al Khaimah tops the list of freedom violation , which threatens to lift the UAE from the list of countries defending freedom of expression and ensuring the right of human rights activists in criticism . It is sad to say that the UAE is deviating from the reform rhetoric and promises made in international forums to respect these rights.
ANHRI considered that the expulsion of the activist for expressing opinion and criticizing the status of freedoms in his country is a big mistake, and a retreat should be seriously fixed. UAE government should correct these bad conditions before they go too far beyond reform.
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