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Emirates Centre for Human Rights 25 Tyzack Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 7PU E: admin@echr.org.

uk Tuesday, 3 September 2013 Juan Mendez Special Rapporteur on Torture OHCHR UNOG 8-14 Avenue de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Dear Mr. Juan Mendez, I am writing to you as the Director of the Emirates Centre for Human Rights to express my ongoing concern for the plight of political prisoners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 20 prisoners at al-Razeen prison in Abu Dhabi are on hunger strike to protest alleged mistreatment by prison authorities. The hunger strike began on July 31st with six prisoners, two more joined on August 11th, ten on August 18th and two on August 26th. Those on hunger strike are taking fluids but refusing all solid food. As of September 3rd three prisoners have collapsed and are in a critical condition. Those on hunger strike complain of being beaten by prison guards and subjected to restrictions on family visits. Other issues include light deprivation, barring of group prayer and authorities turning off air conditioning in high temperatures. Prisoners have grown frustrated that authorities refuse to answer their complaints and the hunger strike began after a prominent inmate was badly beaten by guards. Dr. Mohamed al-Mansoori is a well known human rights lawyer, formerly serving as a senior advisor to the ruler of Ras al-Khaimah and chair of the UAEs Jurists Association. Dr. Mohamed al-Mansoori told his son in a phone call that his shoulder was dislocated after Nepali prison guards beat him and dragged him across the floor of al-Razeen prison.

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Three of the six men who started the hunger strike on July 31st have collapsed. Ali al-Kindi and Ahmed al-Qobaisi were hospitalized on August 21st and 25th respectively. Dr. Mohamed al-Mansoori collapsed on August 28th and is currently refusing medical treatment. He is continuing with the hunger strike and says that he will not stop or receive medical treatment until the demands of the hunger strikers are met. Those on hunger strike are serving prison sentences of either 7 or 10 years following their conviction in the trial of 94 political dissidents earlier in the year. The grossly unfair trial of the UAE 94 was closed to international observers and foreign media. A severe lack of due process and failure by authorities to investigate credible allegations of torture led Human Rights Watch to label proceedings as fundamentally unfair. It is our belief that these men are in prison due to their support for political reform in what remains an autocratic state. We are deeply concerned about the treatment of prisoners at al-Razeen prison. UAE authorities must be urged to ensure that all prisoners are: protected from torture and other mistreatment; given regular access to their families; provided with all necessary medical treatment; and held in adequate conditions of detention. Authorities must ensure that conditions, including ventilation and lighting, meet the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. While the trial of the UAE 94 may have concluded, it is of great concern that allegations of torture remain un-investigated. We urge you to call on authorities to impartially and independently investigate all allegations of torture, bringing to justice anyone found responsible in line with international law. It is our belief that those convicted in the UAE 94 trial are in prison solely due to their peacefully expressed political beliefs. Those imprisoned for exercising their right to free expression and association must be immediately and unconditionally released. We hope you will be able to take the time to look into these issues and communicate concerns directly to authorities in the UAE. Yours sincerely, Rori Donaghy Director Emirates Centre for Human Rights E: campaigns@echr.org.uk T: +44 (0)785 006 2105

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