Ahmed Mansoor
Cases- Location of case in SG report
- 2017-086-001
- Relevant SG report
- Year of the report
- 2017
- From Country
- Country Geolocation
Latitude: 23.424076
Longitude: 53.847818
- Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
- United Arab Emirates
- From Region
- UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report
- UN Special Procedures: Thematic
- Dates of prior UN action
- 27 March 2017; 28 March 2017
- Type of record
- Named individual
- Gender
- Male
- Was the victim a foreign national?
- No
- Was the victim a minor?
- No
- Individual's/organization's activity
prominent human rights defender and blogger; advisor to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division
- Type of rights defended
- Unclear in SG Report
- Was the victim a civil servant, member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
- No
- Reported trigger of reprisal
for his collaboration with the Human Rights Council, the special procedures, the universal periodic review mechanism and treaty bodies
- Engagement with UN body
- UN Human Rights Council: UN Human Rights Council - General
- UN Human Rights Council: UPR
- UN Special Procedures: UN Special Procedures - General
- UN Treaty Bodies: UN Treaty Bodies - General
- Dates of engagement
- Unclear
- Type of attempted engagement
- Unclear
- Dates of mentioned reprisals
- 20 March 2017
- Reprisal information
allegations of arrest, secret detention and risk of enforced disappearance; On 20 March 2017, security agents searched the home of Mr. Mansoor, confiscated laptops and other equipment; they arrested Mr. Mansoor, and took him to an unknown location.
- Types of reprisals suffered
- Disappearance/Kidnapping
- Property damage/raid/search/confiscation
- Alleged/likely perpetrators
- State actors
- Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
- No
- Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
- No
- Further case development
Mr. Mansoor reportedly remains in solitary confinement, while the place of detention remains unverified
- Government response dates
- 25 April 2017
- Government response content
On 25 April 2017, the Government responded that the Office of the Public Prosecutor concerning cybercrime arrested Mr. Mansoor on 20 March 2017 on the charge of circulating false and misleading information on the Internet with a view to spreading hatred and sectarianism. He was informed of the charges and placed in pretrial detentionin Abu Dhabi Central Prison. He was allowed to appoint a lawyer and his family was allowed to visit him, in accordance with the procedures applicable to detention facilities. The Government concluded that allegations concerning arbitrary detention, lack of information concerning the place of detention and lack of specifying charges against him are false. The Government’s response did not address the allegations concerning intimidation and reprisals.
- Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?
- No
- Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?
- No
- Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?
- No
- How many times has the case been followed up in subsequent SG reports?
- 6
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 0
- 2018
- Follow up information provided in SG report 0
55.Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, advisor to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, was mentioned in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General (see A/HRC/36/31, para. 60 and Annex, paras. 84-85) and was thesubject of actions by seven special procedures mandate holders (ARE 1/2017; ARE 7/2017).Mr.Mansoor is alleged to have suffered intimidation and reprisal for his collaboration with the Human Rights Council, the special procedures, the universal periodic review and the treaty bodies.Mr. Mansoor has experienced physical assaults, death threats, government surveillance, and since 2011, has been subject to a travel ban to prevent him engaging in person with United Nations human rights mechanisms.According to reports, he was detained on 20 March 2017 when security agents searched his home in Ajman, confiscated laptops and other equipment, and arrested him without a warrant.He was placed in custody in Al Wathba prison in ill-health and has been subject to ill-treatment and possibly torture.
On 29May 2018 Mr. Mansoor was sentenced to ten years prison before the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court, fined one million Dirhams (USD $272,294.00), and ordered to be put under surveillance for three years upon his release.The Government responded in writing to the allegations transmitted by the special procedures in April 2017, but did not address the allegations of reprisals.On 6 July 2018 the Government provided follow up information on multiple cases, noting that Mr. Al-Najjar is currently going therapy and treatment at a counselling centre called a Munasaha Centre which “consists of psychological, social and religious sessions to uproot terrorist and extremist ideologies” based on “concern that he might commit a terrorist offence after leaving the prison” and a “threat to public security.” The Government stated that Mr. Shaker Az is “currently serving his sentence of imprisonment at the Al Wathba penal institution, where he receives appropriate health care, and is permitted to communicate with his family in accordance with the regulations and procedures applicable to penal and correctional institutions.” Mr. Mansoor “was tried, convicted and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment” and is serving his sentence at the Al Sadr penal institution with the right to an appeal. The Government did not address the allegations of reprisals.
- Followup Trends 0
- Deterioration/further reprisals
- Did the government respond? 0
- Yes
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 1
- 2019
- Follow up information provided in SG report 1
- The case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, advisor to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, was included in the 2018 (A/HRC/39/41, Annex, para. 55), 2017 (A/HRC/36/31, para. 60 and Annex, paras. 86–87) and 2014 (A/HRC/27/38, para. 38) reports of the Secretary-General related to his collaboration with the Human Rights Council, the special procedures, the UPR and the treaty bodies. Mr. Mansoor was detained and experienced physical assaults, death threats, and government surveillance. He had been subject to a travel ban from 2011 to prevent him from engaging in person with United Nations human rights mechanisms. On 6 July 2018 the Government provided information to OHCHR, stating that Mr. Mansoor “was tried, convicted and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment” and is serving his sentence at the Al Sadr penal institution with the right to an appeal.
- On 4 January 2019, the spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern that the Court of State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court had upheld a 10-year prison sentence and one-million dirham fine (about USD272,000) against Mr. Mansoor. The spokesperson urged the Government “to promptly and unconditionally release Mansoor and to ensure that individuals are not penalised for expressing views critical of the Government or its allies.” 160 In April 2019, it was reported that Mr. Mansoor was on a hunger strike to protest an unfair trial and the conditions in which he is detained. On 7 May 2019, seven special procedures mandate holders expressed grave concern over Mr. Mansoor’s physical well-being and the poor conditions of his detention. 161
- Followup Trends 1
- Stayed same
- Date of follow up 1
- 4 January 2019; 7 May 2019
- Did the government respond? 1
- No
- Was this case followed up by a UN body? 1
- UN Special Procedures: Thematic
- UN (Dep.) High Commissioner on Human Rights
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 2
- 2020
- Follow up information provided in SG report 2
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The case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor was included in the 2019 (A/HRC/42/30, para. 79 and Annex II, paras. 103–104), 2018 (A/HRC/39/41, Annex II, para. 55), 2017 (A/HRC/36/31, para. 60 and Annex I, paras. 86–87) and 2014 (A/HRC/27/38, para. 38) reports of the Secretary-General on allegations of physical attacks, death threats, surveillance and travel ban following his collaboration with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms and the treaty bodies. Mr. Mansoor is currently serving a ten-year sentence upheld by the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court in January 2019, which was addressed by the Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 84
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In protest of his detention conditions, Mr. Mansoor reportedly began a second hunger strike at Al-Sadr prison in September 2019. 85 He had reportedly been subject to torture and ill-treatment in solitary confinement, which left visible marks on his face and body. The conditions of his detention are reportedly poor, and he lacks basic necessities and adequate medical care. It was reported to OHCHR that, as of mid-January 2020, Mr. Mansoor was still on a hunger strike, but that in May 2020 his state of health and conditions of detention were unknown.
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On 14 July 2020, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report, refuting that Ms. Soulayman Al-Ballushi, Ms. Alabduli, Mr. Mekkaoui, Mr. Shaker Az have been subject to arbitrary detention or torture, or been placed in solitary confinement. The Government indicated that all have received the necessary health care and that while family visits were suspended due to COVID-19, all individuals have the right to phone calls. It noted that Ms. Abdulnoor was serving her sentence for abetting terrorism because of her support to Al Qaeda when the breast cancer she had before incarceration worsened, and she died in custody under the care of the State. The Government refutes the allegations pertaining to Mr. Mansoor, who they state has received regular medical care and meals and the alleged hunger strike is not true.
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- Followup Trends 2
- Stayed same
- Did the government respond? 2
- Yes
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 3
- 2021
- Follow up information provided in SG report 3
- The case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, was included in the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2014 reports of the Secretary-General.250 Mr. Mansoor is alleged to have suffered intimidation and reprisals for his collaboration with UN human rights mechanisms. In 2011 his detention was deemed arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (A/HRC/WGAD/2011/64). Mr. Mansoor has reportedly been subject to torture and held in solitary confinement.251
- On 25 January 2021, special procedures mandate holders addressed concerns at the continued imprisonment and alleged ill-treatment of Mr. Mansoor, as well as his placement in solitary confinement since 2018 (ARE 1/2021). They noted that Mr. Mansoor reportedly received his last family visit in January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted inperson visits, and that his family had not received a telephone call from him since April 2020. On 10 February 2021, special procedures mandate holders expressed fear that Mr. Mansoor was among “three human rights defenders serving 10-year prison sentences in the United Arab Emirates [being] mistreated in conditions that may amount to torture and urged authorities to release them.” 252
- Followup Trends 3
- Stayed same
- Date of follow up 3
- 25 January 2021, 10 February 2021
- Did the government respond? 3
- Yes
- Was this case followed up by a UN body? 3
- UN Special Procedures: Thematic
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 4
- 2022
- Follow up information provided in SG report 4
- The case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, advisor to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, was included in the 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2021 reports of the Secretary-General. Mr. Mansoor is alleged to have suffered intimidation and reprisals for his collaboration with UN human rights mechanisms. In 2011, his detention was deemed arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (A/HRC/WGAD/2011/64). In January 2021, special procedure mandate holders raised concerns about the continued imprisonment and alleged ill treatment of Mr. Mansoor, and his placement in solitary confinement since 2018 (ARE 1/2021), to which the Government responded. According to information received by OHCHR, Mr. Mansoor’s detention conditions worsened further after the publication in a London-based media outlet in July 2021 of a letter he had written from prison in October 2020 describing the human rights violations he allegedly was subjected to. Reportedly, following the publication of the letter, Mr. Mansoor was moved into a smaller and more isolated cell, his reading glasses were removed, access to medical care was denied, and he remained in solitary confinement.
- Followup Trends 4
- Deterioration/further reprisals
- Did the government respond? 4
- No
- In which SG report was this case followed up on? 5
- 2024
- Follow up information provided in SG report 5
- During the reporting period, the United Nations High Commissioner for human rights and special procedures mandate holders raised public concerns over the mass trials of 84 individuals, and over broader patterns of suppression of dissent and restrictions on civic space in the country.173 Those tried included victims of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, namely Mr. Mohamed al-Mansoori and Mr. Ahmed Al Mansoor.
- The case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, advisor to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, was included in the 2014 and 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 reports of the Secretary-General.175 Mr. Mansoor is alleged to have suffered intimidation and reprisals for his collaboration with UN human rights mechanisms. In 2011, his detention was deemed arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (A/HRC/WGAD/2011/64). In January 2021, special procedures mandate holders raised concerns about his imprisonment and alleged ill treatment and solitary confinement (ARE 1/2021).176 to which the Government responded.177
- According to information received by OHCHR, Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, was among the 84 civil society members facing new terrorist charges and he was reportedly seen during the court hearings.
- During the Universal periodic review of the United Arab Emirates held on 8 May 2023, the State was recommended to ensure that human rights defenders, including those sharing information with United Nations human rights mechanisms are able to work safely and effectively in the country, and that activists, lawyers, journalists and academics operate without fear of reprisals (A/HRC/54/15 para. 35.147 and 35.150). The United Arab Emirates accepted 198 recommendations, which did not include the latter (A/HRC/54/15/Add.1 para. 28).
- Followup Trends 5
- Stayed same
- Date of follow up 5
- 2023-2024
- Did the government respond? 5
- No
- Was this case followed up by a UN body? 5
- UN (Dep.) High Commissioner on Human Rights
- UN Special Procedures: UN Special Procedures - General