UPDATE (20 September 2017)
English PEN remains deeply concerned about the ongoing arbitrary detention of Ahmed Mansoor, a well-known writer and human rights defender in the UAE. It has now been six months since Ahmed was arrested for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Ahmed Mansoor is believed to be held in a detention facility adjacent to Al-Wathba prison. The Public Prosecution for Cybercrimes charged him with publishing false information and rumours as well as promoting sectarian agenda through his writings on social media.
Six months later, Ahmed is still being held in solitary confinement and, other than a fleeting visit shortly after his arrest, he had not been allowed to see his wife until this week.
We believe that the charges against Ahmed Mansoor are in violation of his right to freedom of expression. We call upon the UAE authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him and to ensure full respect of his right to freedom of expression and opinion. Please join us.
TAKE ACTION
Support our Thunderclap
Join us in sending a mass message of support via Thunderclap at 5pm (UK time) on 20 September.
Sign up via Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.
Join the twitterstorm
Human rights blogger CiLuna27 is organising a twitterstorm for Ahmed Mansoor at 5pm BST on 20 September. More information and suggested tweets here.
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PEN is deeply concerned about the ongoing arbitrary detention of Ahmed Mansoor (أحمد منصور الشحي), a well-known writer and human rights defender who was arrested on 20 March 2017 for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
On 4 April 2017, Ahmed Mansoor was transferred to the high security al-Sadr prison in Abu Dhabi after being charged by the Public Prosecution for Cybercrimes of publishing false information and rumours as well as promoting sectarian agenda through his writings on social media. PEN believes that these charges are in violation of the right to freedom of expression and call upon the UAE authorities to immediately release him and drop all charges, and to ensure full respect of his right to freedom of expression and opinion.
TAKE ACTION
Spread the word
Show your support for Ahmed Mansoor by sharing news of his detention and calling for his release on social media – #FreeAhmed
Sign the petition
Show your support for Ahmed Mansoor by signing and sharing the petition for his release.
Send letters of appeal
Please take a few moments to urge the UAE authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release writer and human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor;
- Drop the criminal charges against Ahmed Mansoor;
- Ensure the full respect of his rights as a prisoner, in accordance with international human rights standards;
- Ensure the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression, including the release of all detainees held solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights.
- Sign and ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Please write to:
Minister of Justice
M. Sultan Saeed al-Badi
Ministry of Justice
PO Box: 260
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Fax: +971 2 6810680
Email: [email protected]
Minister of Interior
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Zayed Sport City, Arab Gulf Street,
PO Box: 398
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Fax: +971 2 402 2762 / +971 2 441 5780
Email: [email protected]
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for UAE in your country if possible.
For further background information, please visit the PEN International website.