Geneva, 5 March, 2025.- A group of independent human rights experts* today expressed deep concern over the lack of information on the fate and whereabouts and safety of poet and activist, Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi, following his extradition from Lebanon to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 8 January 2025.
“Our worst fears that Mr. Al-Qaradawi would face grave human rights violations if he was extradited to the UAE, appear to have been justified,” the experts stated, recalling a previous statement urging Lebanon not to extradite him to the UAE or Egypt.
The national security related charges against Mr. Al Qaradawi that led to his extradition appear to be based solely on comments in a video he posted to social media while visiting Syria, expressing his hope that Syria’s future would not be hindered by the intervention of foreign States, including the UAE.
“Exercising the right to freedom of expression, including political comment or criticism is not a crime,” the experts said.
“Conflating political criticism with threats to State security or terrorism constitutes an assault on freedom of expression, with worrying consequences for human rights defenders and political activists,” the experts said.
Since his extradition to the UAE, Al-Qaradawi has reportedly had no contact with his family and has been denied access to legal counsel. His fate and whereabouts are unknown.
“The authorities should immediately confirm his deprivation of liberty, his state of health, disclose the location and conditions of his detention and ensure his fundamental right to communicate with his family and legal representatives,” they said.
“To date, we are not aware of any formal legal charges brought against him by the UAE authorities,” the experts noted.
They were also concerned that an extradition agreement between the UAE and Egypt could see Mr. Al-Qaradawi further extradited from the UAE to Egypt. An Egyptian court sentenced him in absentia to two three-year prison sentences based on accusations of spreading false news and information and insulting the judiciary.
“Mr. Al-Qaradawi should be allowed consular visits from the Turkish authorities and allowed to return to Türkiye, where he is a citizen, and where he can be guaranteed safety and legal protection,” they said.
The experts were concerned by the legal procedure leading to Al-Qaradawi’s detention and extradition to the UAE based on an arrest warrant issued under the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council (AIMC) of the League of Arab States (LAS).
“It is evident that this process and the listing of some individuals as “terrorists” under it, is based on political rather than rigorous legal criteria and is being abused by some States to silence criticism, shut down dissent, and pursue activists beyond their borders,” they said.
The experts are in contact with the Government about this matter.