Human rights advocates are increasingly calling for the urgent review of political prisoner files in Abu Dhabi’s Al-Razeen Prison, often referred to as the “Saydnaya of Abu Dhabi.” This comes amid heightened global attention to the atrocities committed in Syria’s notorious Saydnaya Prison.
Emirati human rights activist Hamad Al-Shamsi emphasized, “The violations we are witnessing in Saydnaya Prison in Damascus compel us to demand the opening of files for political prisoners in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ha’ir Prison, Abu Dhabi’s Al-Razeen, and Egypt’s Al-Aqrab prisons.”
Al-Shamsi highlighted that thousands of prisoners unjustly languish in these prisons, deprived of their most basic human rights. He stressed that advocating for their freedom is both a moral and humanitarian necessity that cannot be delayed.
Al-Razeen: The “Guantanamo of the UAE”
Al-Razeen Prison, opened in 2010, is situated in the Abu Dhabi desert, approximately 110 kilometers from the city center. Known for its high-security measures both internally and externally, the prison primarily houses political detainees and prisoners of conscience.
International organizations have ranked Al-Razeen among the world’s worst prisons, with the International Center for Prison Studies labeling it the most notorious prison in the Arab world. The media often refers to it as the “Guantanamo of the UAE” due to the grave human rights abuses documented within its walls.
The prison contains 11 wards, each monitored by over 30 cameras. It is estimated that the facility holds around 100 inmates, 61 of whom are political prisoners.
Renewed Focus on Arab Prisons Amid Syrian Revelations
The discussion around Abu Dhabi’s prisons and other oppressive Arab regimes has gained momentum following revelations of atrocities in Syrian prisons, particularly after the successful revolution that led to the ousting of President Bashar Al-Assad.
In the days following Assad’s fall, thousands of Syrian detainees were released, prompting increased calls for Abu Dhabi’s government and security agencies to disclose the fate of political prisoners and expedite their release.
The Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center welcomed the release of tens of thousands of prisoners from Bashar Al-Assad’s prisons, expressing solidarity with their families who endured years of oppression and enforced disappearances.
In a statement obtained by Emirates Leaks, the center emphasized that this moment sheds light on the plight of political prisoners across the Arab world and highlights the urgent need to address their violated rights.
Human Rights Advocacy: A Call for Justice
The center called for the immediate release of all political prisoners in the UAE, especially those held in Al-Razeen Prison and other state security detention centers. It urged the UAE government to ensure detainees’ rights to communicate freely with their families without restrictions.
The statement also underscored that arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance constitute gross violations of international conventions. These practices raise serious concerns about the physical and psychological harm inflicted on detainees, which can significantly affect their ability to reintegrate into society after release.
The center appealed to the international community and human rights organizations to exert pressure on UAE authorities and other Arab governments to release all political prisoners and guarantee their rights. It stressed that global silence only reinforces oppression and undermines the values of justice and freedom.
UN Condemnation of Political Repression
Recently, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, condemned the “horrific reality of political convictions” targeting peaceful dissent in the UAE. She criticized Abu Dhabi’s crackdown on any movement advocating for reform and basic rights.
Speaking at a European human rights institute’s seminar, Lawlor highlighted the UAE’s misuse of counter-terrorism laws to prosecute 43 dissidents, imposing severe prison sentences solely for expressing their opinions.
She stated that the UAE’s vague definition of terrorism allows for harsh penalties such as life imprisonment or even the death penalty against peaceful activists, without evidence of violence.
Lawlor further condemned the July 10, 2024, sentencing of 43 Emirati human rights defenders. She described their retrial—after years of arbitrary detention—as a blatant violation of their fundamental rights.
