UAE Urged to Halt Crackdown After Naming 11 Dissidents as Terrorists
Human rights advocates are calling on the United Arab Emirates to end its extensive suppression of dissent, following the addition of 11 political dissidents and their family members to the country’s terrorism watchlist.
In January, Emirati authorities designated 11 individuals and eight UK-based companies as terrorist entities, citing alleged affiliations with the Muslim Brotherhood. However, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Tuesday that the majority of those named — at least nine — are known political opponents or their relatives, with only two having any formal connection to terrorism-related charges or convictions.
HRW criticized the UAE for failing to notify the listed individuals or offer any legal process prior to the designation. “This action reflects a broader pattern of transnational repression by the UAE, where not only dissidents but also their families are targeted,” the organization stated.
According to reports, the impacted individuals were unaware of their names on the list until Wam, the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates, made it public. One of the people listed was shocked to learn that they were included without any prior notice, court cases, or official decision.
All eight of the implicated companies are registered solely in the United Kingdom and are linked to Emirati dissidents or their relatives, either currently or in the past.
The UAE — a federation governed by the Al Nahyan family in Abu Dhabi — is known for its intolerance toward political opposition. The nation imposes stringent laws against any kind of dissent, even as its biggest cities, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, flourish as international centers of commerce.
The UAE vigorously targeted Muslim Brotherhood members after the 2011 Arab Spring, initiating widespread arrests in 2012. In 2014, it labeled 83 groups as terrorist organizations. According to HRW, the UAE’s counterterrorism legislation employs vague definitions, enabling the authorities to designate individuals and groups without substantial evidence or due process.
Earlier this year, the country drew international attention when Lebanon deported Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi—son of the late Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi—to the UAE. Qaradawi had been openly critical of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who rose to power following the military overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader.
Being placed on the UAE’s terrorism list carries severe consequences. It results in immediate asset freezes and property seizures, regardless of whether the individual resides in the UAE. Contacting or associating with designated individuals is criminalized and can lead to life imprisonment.
These measures have left affected individuals isolated from loved ones inside the UAE. One dissident told HRW that their repeated calls to family members now go unanswered — a stark contrast to the past. “I used to call my mother and sisters regularly. Now, no one picks up. It’s obvious—they’re under pressure. This is part of the strategy to silence us,” the individual said.