Watan-42 human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over the enforced disappearance and lack of any information regarding the legal proceedings, detention location, and safety of poet and writer Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, following his deportation from Lebanon to Abu Dhabi on January 8.
In a joint press statement received by “Emirates Leaks,” the organizations stated that since that time, neither his family members nor his legal representatives have been able to communicate with him, nor has any official statement been issued regarding his legal status or conditions of detention.
The statement, which was signed by Human Rights Watch, highlighted that “in light of the importance of transparency and the rule of law, we call upon Your Excellency to clarify the location of Al-Qaradawi’s detention, his legal status, and the conditions of his imprisonment, in accordance with international human rights standards and the UAE’s commitments to ensuring due process and fair trial rights.”
Al-Qaradawi was arrested in Lebanon on December 28, 2024, upon his return from Syria, based on an extradition request reportedly issued by the UAE Public Prosecution through the Lebanese embassy in Abu Dhabi.
After being interrogated by the Lebanese Public Prosecution, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved his forced deportation to the UAE on January 8, following assurances from the UAE government to the Lebanese government that he would be treated according to international standards and that his safety would be guaranteed.
Since his arrival in the UAE, his family members and legal representatives have been unable to contact him or obtain any official information about his legal status, raising serious concerns about his safety and his deprivation of basic legal safeguards, including regular communication with his family and lawyer, disclosure of his place of detention, access to legal representation, and permission for regular consular visits.
On January 8, several UN special rapporteurs and experts issued a press statement urging Lebanese authorities not to extradite Al-Qaradawi to Abu Dhabi, expressing serious concerns for his safety.
The experts called on Lebanese authorities to reconsider his case and refuse his extradition, in line with Lebanon’s international legal obligations to prevent torture and enforced disappearance and to guarantee fundamental rights for all individuals on its territory.
The statement emphasized that the continued enforced disappearance of Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, along with the absence of any information regarding his legal status, detention conditions, or access to legal representation and family contact, unfortunately confirms the concerns raised by UN experts.
Based on the above, the organizations urgently called on UAE authorities to take the following actions in accordance with international standards: disclose Al-Qaradawi’s current legal status, detention location, and conditions of imprisonment.
The organizations also urged the authorities to allow Al-Qaradawi to communicate with his family and lawyer in accordance with international human rights standards and ensure that he receives all legal guarantees, including the right to due process and a fair trial.
Additionally, they stressed the need to provide assurances regarding his physical and psychological well-being, including permitting consular visits from the Turkish embassy, and to release him and guarantee his safe return to Turkey, where he resides and holds citizenship.
-
-
-
-
-
-
