HRW Slams UAE for Blocking Rights News Conference

Human Rights Watch hit out at the United Arab Emirates for preventing it from holding a news conference Thursday to release a report criticizing rights violations in the Gulf state.

"Blocking Human Rights Watch from holding a news conference in the UAE sadly underscores the increasing threat to freedom of expression in the country," said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's chief for the Middle East and North Africa.

"If the UAE wants to call itself a global media center, it needs to show that it respects freedom of speech and the open expression of critical ideas, not shut down media events," said Whitson.

The New York-based watchdog said it had booked a room a month ago at a Dubai hotel for Thursday's news conference, during which it was to release its 2014 report on rights abuses in the UAE.

But hotel staff informed the UAE early in the morning that the reservation had been canceled, saying the watchdog had failed to obtain a special government permit to hold the conference, said HRW.

In the report seen by Agence France Presse, the watchdog accuses the UAE of having "stifled free expression, and subjected dissidents to manifestly unfair trials marred by credible allegations of torture" last year.

"Authorities are arbitrarily detaining scores of individuals they suspect of links to domestic and international Islamist groups," it said.

On Tuesday, a top UAE court jailed a group of 30 Emiratis and Egyptians to terms ranging from three months to five years for forming a Muslim Brotherhood cell.

The 10 Emirati citizens were among 69 nationals jailed in July for up to 15 years on charges of plotting to overthrow the government.

"The UAE's repressive laws and dysfunctional justice system belie the government's efforts to present the country as moderate and progressive," said Whitson.

The Gulf state has not seen any of the widespread pro-reform protests that have swept other Arab states, but authorities have boosted a crackdown on dissent and calls for democratic reform.

"The UAE might seem like a safe place to shop, do business, or take a winter holiday but it's becoming a very dangerous place to express a political opinion," said Whitson.

HRW also accused the UAE of failing to improve the rights of migrant workers.

In May, the UAE slapped deportation orders on 43 migrants who joined a rare strike by workers at the Arabtec construction giant to demand better pay and conditions.

Rights groups have repeatedly criticized the UAE and other Gulf countries for their treatment of millions of foreign workers, mostly Asians.