In a recent development in the United Arab Emirates, the country’s Federal Supreme Court has turned down appeals concerning numerous dissidents who were involved in a controversial mass trial. This decision has been widely criticized on the international stage. The state-affiliated WAM news agency reported that the Supreme Court’s State Security Chamber has decided to withhold its ruling on a separate appeal made by prosecutors until April 8.
The WAM report did not provide any insight into the reasoning behind the court’s dismissal of the appeal. Initially, in 2024, a total of 43 individuals were slapped with life sentences, while five others were issued 15-year sentences, and another five received 10-year sentences.
The UAE government categorized the case as being linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Islamic movement that the nation has classified as a terrorist organization. However, activists have condemned the trial as a means to silence dissidents, sparking international attention and protests during the COP28 U.N. climate talks held in Dubai in 2023.
The identities of those who have been sentenced remain undisclosed by the UAE. Among those serving life sentences is Nasser bin Ghaith, an activist and academic who has been detained since August 2015 due to his activity on social media. Although the UAE is known for its socially liberal policies when compared to other Middle Eastern countries, it enforces strict regulations on freedom of expression and prohibits political parties and labor unions.
