Human rights groups demanded for the release of women prisoners of conscience who are in the prisons of the UAE, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls on the eighth of March.
The United Nations announced the eighth of March of each year, in honor of women and in recognition of their role and place in society.
The International Center for Justice and Human Rights (ICJHR) said that the occasion calls for shedding light on prisoners of conscience in Emirati prisons, where they are held on charges related to freedom of opinion and support for human rights.
The Center highlighted “the injustice imposed on female prisoners of conscience in Emirati prisons.”
It stressed its full solidarity with them, “as the Emirati authorities not only targeted and arrested them, but rather exercised a policy of revenge on them.”
The ICJHR pointed out that the UAE authorities have extended the imprisonment of the two activists, Maryam Al-Balushi and Amina Al-Abdouli, despite the expiration of their sentences.
“On this day that celebrates women, we remember the detainee, Alia Abdel Nour, who died in 2019 after a battle with cancer inside the prison in light of medical negligence, which contributed to the deterioration of her health and then her death,” the Center said.
The Center for Human Rights has renewed its rejection of all repressive practices against prisoners of conscience in Emirati prisons.
It also called for the immediate release of the women prisoners of conscience, especially since their sentences had ended months ago.
The ICJHR urged that a serious and thorough investigation be opened into all the torture, ill-treatment and neglect they were subjected to, especially since this led to the death of Alya Abdel Nour, and to ensure that none of those responsible for these violations would escape and be brought to justice.
The Center stressed that the UAE authorities must adhere to international human rights standards and respect international charters and treaties that they have signed, which guarantee the right to freedom of expression and human rights activity and prohibit all forms of torture and ill-treatment.
