Parallel Repression: The Shared Brutality of Israeli and Emirati Prisons

Hamad Al-Shamsi, the executive director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center, stated that Israeli prisons are no different from Emirati prisons regarding violations and the long-term disappearance of detainees.

This statement was made in response to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons as part of the ongoing exchange deal, some of whom had been disappeared for more than 20 years.

Al-Shamsi wrote on his account on the X platform:
“A girl who has not seen her detained father since she was a child. A detainee forced to leave his wife while she was pregnant with his son, only to see him for the first time after more than ten years. An elderly mother passes away without her son being able to bid her farewell because he is detained, and the occupation refuses to allow him to see her. A sick detainee in need of medical treatment, yet the occupation leaves him to face his fate.”

He added, “These painful stories come from occupied Palestine, but unfortunately, we have similar stories in the UAE.”

Al-Shamsi questioned, “Did anyone ever imagine seeing Emiratis suffering the same as Palestinians under occupation? Did we ever think that injustice could reach this extent?”

The Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center has previously confirmed that torture is a fundamental feature of Emirati prisons, as international human rights organizations continue to receive distress calls from political prisoners describing the torture and harsh treatment they endure at the hands of Emirati authorities.

According to the center, the methods of torture used vary between psychological and physical techniques, resembling those used in some of the world’s most notorious prisons.

The following are the most documented methods of torture by international organizations and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC):

• Temperature control: Extreme temperatures are used as a weapon to torture detainees. Prisoners are kept in solitary confinement cells with freezing temperatures and are forced to stand under air conditioners for long hours without cover, causing them severe physical pain.
  Conversely, prison guards exploit the scorching desert heat by turning off air conditioning in cells, particularly in Al-Razeen Prison, leading detainees to suffer from suffocation and distress. This practice was documented by detainee Amina Al-Abdouli, who reported that an officer turned off the air conditioner in the vehicle transporting her, causing her to feel suffocated.
• Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation is one of the most common torture methods, intensively used in Emirati prisons to mentally and physically exhaust detainees.
  Prisoners are forced to stay awake for days while being subjected to loud noises and bright lights at all times, causing severe exhaustion. Libyan businessman Rifaat Hadaqa stated that guards prevented him from sleeping for more than three days, took away his mattress, and threatened him if he tried to sleep on the floor.
• Bright lights and loud propaganda music: Sound and light torture is systematically used to prevent detainees from sleeping and to create continuous distress.
  In Al-Razeen Prison, loud propaganda music is played around the clock, causing extreme psychological tension among detainees. These loud sounds reportedly led to panic attacks for Dr. Mohammed Al-Roken, who fainted and suffered high blood pressure as a result.

• Forced standing for long periods: Detainees are forced to stand for prolonged hours, leading to chronic leg and back pain, as well as long-term circulatory problems.
  Many detainees, including Ibrahim Al-Marzouqi, were forced to stand for extended periods, and if they attempted to sit, they were brutally beaten.
• Prolonged interrogations and targeted beatings: Certain body parts are specifically targeted during beatings to inflict maximum pain.
  Documented cases include detainee Amina Al-Abdouli, who was continuously struck on her face, leading to impaired vision and damaged teeth.
  Additionally, prolonged interrogations are used to exhaust detainees; Khalifa Al-Nuaimi reported being interrogated multiple times a day, leaving him mentally and physically drained.
• Psychological torture and death threats: Prisoners face intense psychological pressure, including threats of deportation, revocation of residency, and even execution.
  In one case, an officer told detainee Amina Al-Abdouli during a medical treatment that they could “put poison in the medicine,” creating extreme fear.
• Electric shocks: Electric shocks are among the most painful and terrifying torture methods. Several detainees, including Palestinian refugee Khaled Ahmed, reported being subjected to repeated electric shocks during interrogations.
  Libyan businessman Rifaat Hadaqa reported the presence of electric chairs in interrogation rooms, which were sometimes used as a threat and, in other cases, actively employed to torture detainees.
• Sexual assault: Sexual violence and threats of it are used as tools of humiliation to weaken detainees psychologically and break their will.
  Some detainees from European nationalities, such as Polish citizen Tor Ligiska, were raped by prison guards. British businessman David Haigh also reported being harassed and gang-raped by a group of guards.
• Nail extraction: The removal of fingernails is an old and extremely brutal torture method. This practice was documented against detainees such as Dr. Ahmed Al-Zaabi, who testified before the public prosecutor about being subjected to this form of torture.
• Beatings and humiliation: Direct beatings remain a primary method of torture, with detainees being struck with hard objects such as water pipes, as reported by detainee Ibrahim Al-Marzouqi.
  Moreover, authorities deliberately humiliate detainees to break them psychologically, such as forcing them to drink water from their shoes, a method used against a Libyan businessman.

These various forms of torture aim to force detainees to confess to crimes they did not commit, break their will, and destroy them both psychologically and physically. According to the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center, the organization continues to document these violations to expose the systematic torture practices in Emirati prisons and work towards protecting human rights.