UAE Maltreatment of Lebanese Migrant Workers and Human Rights Abuses in the United Arab Emirates

[Rafidi]

Lebanese are all over the world as we know, as ordinary people migrating for a better livelihood and to even settle down and establish businesses and institutions and even intermarrying and assimilating into other cultures and nationalities. We are more in number outside of our country than inside of it.

A country where our compatriots have faced indiscriminate arrests and persecution, and their fundamental human rights abused without recourse to law, while that country continues to present itself as a moderate Arab nation on the path of progress and modernization is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE treats Lebanese nationals with a malicious tribal mentality and attitude.

Our compatriots like in many other countries they are found, choose the UAE to work and live in and to make their livelihood and get their daily bread. Their presence and struggle for a livelihood have been politicized by the UAE authorities, mostly on political and sectarian grounds. Ordinary people have been reduced to scapegoats.

Recently, days ago, 14 Lebanese were arbitrarily arrested, or rather kidnapped or at best have been victimized. And according to Lebanon's ambassador to the UAE, UAE authorities have given no explanation for the arbitrary arrests. Assuming we treat the nationals of the UAE and any other fellow Arab country in this manner or we as a people and country target the nationals of the UAE or another Arab country, what would have been the reaction of people, both within and outside Lebanon to such abuse of the rights of humans who are legal travellers? People are not supposed to be randomly arrested or targeted without a warrant for committing a crime. People are not supposed to be arrested and kept without bail or and should be charged for a crime. There should be convincing legal explanations if the nationals of a country are to be deported. These 14 men are not slaves who were captured and thrown into a prison cell. This abuse by the UAE has to stop. And this is not the first time they threaten to expel or arrest randomly Lebanese nationals (without anyone batting and eyelid, and) who work there and sweating for their livelihood while serving the economy and people of the UAE and making positive and constructive contributions to their host country and its it's people.

If the UAE has political bitterness towards any political organisation in Lebanon, their bitterness and anger should not be channelled in an abusive, random, unjustified and wicked way on ordinary people seeking a better life by doing legitimate work. Such insanity and inhumanity are not justified and cannot be representative of a modern and progressive society. This exposes the UAE authorities are still using a malicious tribal mentality and approach from the stone age to treat strangers and the nationals of another country (fellow Arabs) in their land. This is disgusting and goes against all Arab norms and human rights laws. Rights groups around the world need to raise the alarm because it is a very bad and dangerous precedence for humanity as a whole that the UAE is setting for others to follow by randomly and justifiably targeting the nationals of another country in such manner, without charges and without bail and with any arrest warrants.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens​

December 7, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played football.

Lebanese LBCI TV channel reported Dandan as saying that the investigations are still secret, noting that the Lebanese community is the second largest Arab community in the UAE, and has the lowest number of arrests.

Remarking on the UAE's decision to suspend visa applications for Lebanese citizens, Dandan said he has not been officially informed of the decision, adding that he had contacted Emirati authorities who confirmed no such decision has been made.

"Some Lebanese managed to obtain visas while others were unable to do so. There are conditions for obtaining visas, and in Lebanon there is a state of panic so people who submitted more than one visa application in one day have caused the 'system' to refuse their application. The only Emirate that has lifted the ban on visitors' visa is Dubai in light of the measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus," he added.

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played...

www.middleeastmonitor.com

 

[vicking747]

Lebanese are all over the world as we know, as ordinary people migrating for a better livelihood and to even settle down and establish businesses and institutions and even intermarrying and assimilating into other cultures and nationalities. We are more in number outside of our country than inside of it.

A country where our compatriots have faced indiscriminate arrests and persecution, and their fundamental human rights abused without recourse to law, while that country continues to present itself as a moderate Arab nation on the path of progress and modernization is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE treats Lebanese nationals with a malicious tribal mentality and attitude.

Our compatriots like in many other countries they are found, choose the UAE to work and live in and to make their livelihood and get their daily bread. Their presence and struggle for a livelihood have been politicized by the UAE authorities, mostly on political and sectarian grounds. Ordinary people have been reduced to scapegoats.

Recently, days ago, 14 Lebanese were arbitrarily arrested, or rather kidnapped or at best have been victimized. And according to Lebanon's ambassador to the UAE, UAE authorities have given no explanation for the arbitrary arrests. Assuming we treat the nationals of the UAE and any other fellow Arab country in this manner or we as a people and country target the nationals of the UAE or another Arab country, what would have been the reaction of people, both within and outside Lebanon to such abuse of the rights of humans who are legal travellers? People are not supposed to be randomly arrested or targeted without a warrant for committing a crime. People are not supposed to be arrested and kept without bail or and should be charged for a crime. There should be convincing legal explanations if the nationals of a country are to be deported. These 14 men are not slaves who were captured and thrown into a prison cell. This abuse by the UAE has to stop. And this is not the first time they threaten to expel or arrest randomly Lebanese nationals (without anyone batting and eyelid, and) who work there and sweating for their livelihood while serving the economy and people of the UAE and making positive and constructive contributions to their host country and its it's people.

If the UAE has political bitterness towards any political organisation in Lebanon, their bitterness and anger should not be channelled in an abusive, random, unjustified and wicked way on ordinary people seeking a better life by doing legitimate work. Such insanity and inhumanity are not justified and cannot be representative of a modern and progressive society. This exposes the UAE authorities are still using a malicious tribal mentality and approach from the stone age to treat strangers and the nationals of another country (fellow Arabs) in their land. This is disgusting and goes against all Arab norms and human rights laws. Rights groups around the world need to raise the alarm because it is a very bad and dangerous precedence for humanity as a whole that the UAE is setting for others to follow by randomly and justifiably targeting the nationals of another country in such manner, without charges and without bail and with any arrest warrants.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens​

December 7, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played football.

Lebanese LBCI TV channel reported Dandan as saying that the investigations are still secret, noting that the Lebanese community is the second largest Arab community in the UAE, and has the lowest number of arrests.

Remarking on the UAE's decision to suspend visa applications for Lebanese citizens, Dandan said he has not been officially informed of the decision, adding that he had contacted Emirati authorities who confirmed no such decision has been made.

"Some Lebanese managed to obtain visas while others were unable to do so. There are conditions for obtaining visas, and in Lebanon there is a state of panic so people who submitted more than one visa application in one day have caused the 'system' to refuse their application. The only Emirate that has lifted the ban on visitors' visa is Dubai in light of the measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus," he added.

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played...

www.middleeastmonitor.com

This is very unfair against the UAE - seriously if there is a country that gives chances to Lebanese it is really the UAE. There are more than 200,000 Lebanese in the UAE enjoying highly paid jobs and working in all types of enterprises and even government- take Etisalat or Du as an exemple.
The UAE through all these years always gave visas to Lebanese without any question nor even without any delays while in most of Western countries it is impossible.

I know Abu Dhabi very well as I travel there very frequently for my work, twice a month for the last 5 years.

I don’t know the story about the people they arrested but as long as they are not violating the law there, they should be fine. But if they start insulting its leadership online or support organisations that are listed as terrorists by the UAE then it is normal that it would backfire.

Hundred of thousand of families are getting money home thanks to the UAE.

Also the relationship with the UAE you want to sabotage it because they normalised with Israel ? By the way read my other posts where i described how Lebanese people are now normalising with Israelis at the White, a Lebanese club.

Stop harming Lebanese who work hard because I am not sure it goes in the interest of Lebanese to be kicked out all from the UAE

 

[Rafidi]

This is very unfair against the UAE - seriously if there is a country that gives chances to Lebanese it is really the UAE. There are more than 200,000 Lebanese in the UAE enjoying highly paid jobs and working in all types of enterprises and even government- take Etisalat or Du as an exemple.
The UAE through all these years always gave visas to Lebanese without any question nor even without any delays while in most of Western countries it is impossible.

I know Abu Dhabi very well as I travel there very frequently for my work, twice a month for the last 5 years.

I don’t know the story about the people they arrested but as long as they are not violating the law there, they should be fine. But if they start insulting its leadership online or support organisations that are listed as terrorists by the UAE then it is normal that it would backfire.

Hundred of thousand of families are getting money home thanks to the UAE.

Also the relationship with the UAE you want to sabotage it because they normalised with Israel ? By the way read my other posts where i described how Lebanese people are now normalising with Israelis at the White, a Lebanese club.

Stop harming Lebanese who work hard because I am not sure it goes in the interest of Lebanese to be kicked out all from the UAE

Reetak khreet w 7keet.

Shu khas sha3ban bi Ramadan?

Every now and then, the UAE authorities randomly or in a targeted way arrest Lebanese nationals without explanation or due legal processes or charge or for criminal act. They end up imprisoned. And all you have to say is that they will be fine. People are not to be randomly imprisoned without legal basis because eventually they would be "fine". This is an abuse of their fundamental human rights.

Thousands of Lebanese make their living in the UAE and we are grateful for that and they contribute positively to the UAE. My wish is for the Lebanese civilians not to be targeted or abused or be made to pay for political decisions they have no say on. They should respect us as civilians and not abuse our rights because we work in their country or became they have issues or differences with some Lebanese factions. Civilians are civilians. Innocent is innocent.

I am not in support of Lebanese interfering in UAE affairs or internal issues in their host countries. In fact all over the world, Lebanese migrants do not interfere in local politics or leadership issues and they respect their hosts. Because we are making a livelihood somewhere does not give them the leverage to scapegoat people randomly. Two different issues.

UAE chose to normalize their ties with Israehell. That is their decision and if it suits them, good for them. We dont have normalized ties with Israehell and our own sovereignty should also be respected. If a Lebanese works for a company that transacts business with Israehellis, on official basis the Lebanese will be obliged to carry out his duties with fellow humans. There is no intimacy or cordial relations or interpersonal relationship. It is strictly business. Not politics or intimacy.

Stop mixing issues and reasoning like a child.

 

[vicking747]

Reetak khreet w 7keet.

Shu khas sha3ban bi Ramadan?

Every now and then, the UAE authorities randomly or in a targeted way arrest Lebanese nationals without explanation or due legal processes or charge or for criminal act. They end up imprisoned. And all you have to say is that they will be fine. People are not to be randomly imprisoned without legal basis because eventually they would be "fine". This is an abuse of their fundamental human rights.

Thousands of Lebanese make their living in the UAE and we are grateful for that and they contribute positively to the UAE. My wish is for the Lebanese civilians not to be targeted or abused or be made to pay for political decisions they have no say on. They should respect us as civilians and not abuse our rights because we work in their country or became they have issues or differences with some Lebanese factions. Civilians are civilians. Innocent is innocent.

I am not in support of Lebanese interfering in UAE affairs or internal issues in their host countries. In fact all over the world, Lebanese migrants do not interfere in local politics or leadership issues and they respect their hosts. Because we are making a livelihood somewhere does not give them the leverage to scapegoat people randomly. Two different issues.

UAE chose to normalize their ties with Israehell. That is their decision and if it suits them, good for them. We dont have normalized ties with Israehell and our own sovereignty should also be respected. If a Lebanese works for a company that transacts business with Israehellis, on official basis the Lebanese will be obliged to carry out his duties with fellow humans. There is no intimacy or cordial relations or interpersonal relationship. It is strictly business. Not politics or intimacy.

Stop mixing issues and reasoning like a child.

Lol hala2 enta btefhem bel human rights and human values ? Y’a Habibe not a single day comes without Iran torturing, kidnapping and intimidating.
Perhaps Syria a better place ?

The UAE is one of the most tolerant country and society. They are an Islamic and Arabic country that represents well these identifies.

You remember this poor Lebanese who was invited in Iran and who ended up locked for years ?

Be honest, have some values of non hypocritical behaviour and you will get credibility. All what you write is pure hate on anyone who is not Shiaa, not Iranian or does think differently than you. You decided to live in total isolation completely reject the Arab and western countries for a cause that doesn’t exist and an enemy who doesn’t give a damn about you else than you are doing his job by keeping Lebanon in the dark ages

Back to the topic - let me guess, are these Lebanese Shiaa ?

 

[Rafidi]

Lol hala2 enta btefhem bel human rights and human values ? Y’a Habibe not a single day comes without Iran torturing, kidnapping and intimidating.
Perhaps Syria a better place ?

Open a thread about it.

The UAE is one of the most tolerant country and society. They are an Islamic and Arabic country that represents well these identifies.

That is fine. We are happy you admit there is such an Islamic and Arabic country that impresses you. There is an issue at hand. That is what this thread is about. It is of no significance praising them when there is an ongoing abuse of the rights of people. Being this or that will never justify the abuse of people's rights.

You remember this poor Lebanese who was invited in Iran and who ended up locked for years ?

Yes, I do. There is a thread for that. He was charged, if I recall correctly.

Be honest, have some values of non hypocritical behaviour and you will get credibility. All what you write is pure hate on anyone who is not Shiaa, not Iranian or does think differently than you. You decided to live in total isolation completely reject the Arab and western countries for a cause that doesn’t exist and an enemy who doesn’t give a damn about you else than you are doing his job by keeping Lebanon in the dark ages

Back to the topic - let me guess, are these Lebanese Shiaa ?

Ok. I've had enough reading BS from you daily and trolling and red herrings and acting like you Netanyahu's campaign manager and repeating the same arguments in every posts. Bye.

 

[Rafidi]

​

مذيعة لبنانية تقاضي بن سلمان وبن زايد: اعتقدا أن بإمكانهما إسكاتي!​

الجمعة ١١ كانون الأول ٢٠٢٠ - 16:29​

رفعت غادة عويس، مذيعة قناة "الجزيرة"، دعوى قضائية ضد ولي العهد السعودي محمد بن سلمان، وولي عهد أبوظبي محمد بن زايد، وعدد من المسؤولين الآخرين، بتهمة استهدافها في "عملية اختراق وتسريب".

وكتبت المذيعة اللبنانية، في سلسلة تغريدات عبر توتير، الأربعاء، أنه "قبل 6 أشهر اعتقد وليا العهد السعودي والإماراتي، أنه بإمكانهما إسكاتي عن طريق اختراق هاتفي وسرقة صوري الخاصة ونشرها بادعاءات كاذبة معادية للمرأة".
وأضافت عويس، التي تقدم نشرات أخبار وبرامج سياسية في قناة الجزيرة، لقد "حان الوقت لتذكير ولي العهد، الإجراءات لها عواقب، على مدار الأشهر الماضية، رأيت آخرين يتحملون هذه المسؤولية ويمضون إلى الأمام".

وتابعت: "اليوم أقوم برفع دعوى قضائية ضد ولي العهد وأتباعه.. حان الوقت ليظهر لهم العالم ولجميع القادة المستبدين، أنهم ليسوا محصنين ولا أحد فوق القانون الدولي".

واختتمت تغريداتها بالقول إن "هذه المسألة ليست مجرد معركة شخصية، بل إنها قضية من أجل كل من لا يستطيع التحدث ضد الظلم".
وفي وقت سابق من العام الجاري، كتبت عويس عن الهجوم في مقال رأي نشرته صحيفة "واشنطن بوست"، يشرح بالتفصيل عملية قرصنة مزعومة نجحت في سرقة صور لها بملابس السباحة من هاتفها، وجعلها تبدو عارية ونشرها عبر تويتر.

وقالت المذيعة، التي رفعت الدعوى بالضاحية الجنوبية لولاية فلوريدا الأميركية، الأربعاء، في مقدمة مقالها المذكور، "رغم أني كنت هدفًا للاعتداء الأخير، كوني أقدم بلا شك تقارير انتقادية عن حكومتي السعودية والإمارات، فإن الرسالة الموجهة إلى الصحفيين في أنحاء الشرق الأوسط واضحة جدا: لا تنتقد أولياء العهد".
ولم تصدر عن الحكومة السعودية والإماراتية تعليقات إزاء الاتهامات المذكورة حتى الساعة.

"وكالة الاناضول"

https://www.lebanonfiles.com/articles/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D9%85%D8%B0%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7/

 

[vicking747]

Open a thread about it.



That is fine. We are happy you admit there is such an Islamic and Arabic country that impresses you. There is an issue at hand. That is what this thread is about. It is of no significance praising them when there is an ongoing abuse of the rights of people. Being this or that will never justify the abuse of people's rights.



Yes, I do. There is a thread for that. He was charged, if I recall correctly.



Ok. I've had enough reading BS from you daily and trolling and red herrings and acting like you Netanyahu's campaign manager and repeating the same arguments in every posts. Bye.

Y’a Khaye, you can call me Netanyahu’s public relation manager, or keep insulting me personally something I never did by the way or invent a story that I am an Israeli agent or I don’t know what.

You remind me these stories of mass converts in Iran to Christianity (google it / YouTube it), one guy said the best Christian preacher was Khoumeiny himself as he disgusted so many people.

Back to the topic, you are attacking the UAE which is one of the most wonderful country in the region - from camel riders they became in 50 years space explorers and are showing a face of Islam that is actually bringing people to Islam.

They are really tolerant, the fact that they made peace with Israel changed completely the mindset of the people (including the many Lebanese who are now partying with Israelis), but also offered 200,000 jobs to Lebanese all sects. If I am not mistaking, the majority is Christian - they don’t even segregate between religions.
Back to you : all you care is to open wars, fuel hate between Humans, push for separation and push people to have ennemies and hate each other.

I know you don’t believe in God but I can tell you, you will be judged in the aftermath of not on Earth. God created all humans without exceptions equal, it is a great insult to name an armed party in the name of God - who are you to do so !!?? I really and deeply think that you will be strongly judged for this. What will you say to God ?

So our relationship with you is based on the fact that we do t want to aggravate things but never think that we support 1% of your hate theories as it is a huge SIN

 

[Rafidi]

COVID-19 makes Gulf countries’ abuse of migrant workers impossible to ignore

www.amnesty.org

 

[Rafidi]

Gulf: Concerns regarding migrant workers' rights during COVID-19 pandemic​

17 April 2020, 15:17 UTC

Amnesty International and a coalition of non-governmental organizations and trade unions recently sent letters to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman raising their concerns and suggesting recommendations that aim to protect the rights of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gulf: Concerns regarding migrant workers' rights during COVID-19 pandemic

Amnesty International and coalition of organizations raise concerns over migrant workers' rights in the Gulf.

www.amnesty.org

 

[Rafidi]

OVERVIEW​

Despite its efforts to cultivate a reputation as a bastion of culture and tourism in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates imposes harsh conditions on foreign workers, systematically represses those who speak out about abuses, and prevents investigations of its detention and incarceration of non-citizens. What little information is available about detention must be gleaned through reviewing relevant legislation, media reports, reports from foreign governments, as well as studies undertaken by international NGOs. Taken together, these sources appear to point to a burgeoning immigration detention regime in the UAE that has little independent review or oversight.

13 June 2020

The country’s lockdown measures, including the temporary closure of hotels, have left many migrant workers out of work. Although UAE authorities have allowed repatriation flights to take place, many countries have refused to allow their own nationals to return. Migrant workers in the UAE also have higher numbers of COVID-19 cases, mainly due to their living conditions in labour camps and the impossibility of maintaining social distancing.

After demonstrations outside the Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai, the UAE government released 400 Pakistani prisoners in mid-April. These individuals had been jailed for minor offences and were repatriated on special flights. This measure was taken considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Campaign for Freedom in the United Arab Emirates (ICFUAE) subsequently called on UAE authorities to “release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, particularly those held beyond their release dates and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which prisoners remain one of the most vulnerable groups of people to the disease.”

Human Rights Watch denounced the poor conditions in UAE prisons on 10 June, calling authorities to reduce prison populations to allow for social distancing.

The director general of correctional institutions announced on 24 May the release of some inmates in Dubai’s main prison, in order to reduce the population during the COVID-19 outbreak. He confirmed that since the beginning of the pandemic, there are around 35 per cent fewer prisoners in the prison.

Other protests were organized in early May by young migrants, in a labour camp near Abu Dhabi. Many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and did not receive the payment of their wages.

14 April 2020​

Thousands of Ethiopian workers - including large numbers of domestic workers - were deported from the UAE (as well as Saudi Arabia) over the weekend (10-12 April). Deported on cargo planes, some were reported to be displaying symptoms of Covid-19, although none had been tested for the virus. According to the UAE government, they were vulnerable to spreading the disease and thus needed to be removed from the country. Ethiopia’s Health Minister confirmed that thousands had been deported from both UAE and Saudi Arabia, and that the country expected thousands more to be returned in the next 15 days. As the UN Humanitarian co-ordinator for Ethiopia has said, "This is simply not the moment for mass deportations from a public health perspective. … These mass deportations, without any pre-departure medical screening are likely to exacerbate the spread of Covid-19 to the region and beyond."

23 March 2020

UAE authorities provide little information regarding where non-citizens are detained for immigration-related reasons. Some sources indicate that the country has operated at least one dedicated deportation facility, but detainees are also known to have been held in criminal prisons.

Authorities announced on 23 March 2020 that all inbound, outbound, and transit flights would be suspended in the next 48 hours. Human Rights Watch called on UAE authorities to consider the conditional release of persons with underlying health conditions – such as HIV – as “Covid-19 … poses a particularly serious risk to people who live in close proximity to each other, such as in prisons, jails, and immigration detention centres.”

United Arab Emirates Immigration Detention Profile

(January 2016) Despite its efforts to cultivate a reputation as a bastion of culture and tourism in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates imposes harsh conditions on foreign workers, systematically represses those who speak out about abuses, and prevents investigations of its detention and...

www.globaldetentionproject.org

 

[vicking747]

OVERVIEW​

Despite its efforts to cultivate a reputation as a bastion of culture and tourism in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates imposes harsh conditions on foreign workers, systematically represses those who speak out about abuses, and prevents investigations of its detention and incarceration of non-citizens. What little information is available about detention must be gleaned through reviewing relevant legislation, media reports, reports from foreign governments, as well as studies undertaken by international NGOs. Taken together, these sources appear to point to a burgeoning immigration detention regime in the UAE that has little independent review or oversight.

13 June 2020

The country’s lockdown measures, including the temporary closure of hotels, have left many migrant workers out of work. Although UAE authorities have allowed repatriation flights to take place, many countries have refused to allow their own nationals to return. Migrant workers in the UAE also have higher numbers of COVID-19 cases, mainly due to their living conditions in labour camps and the impossibility of maintaining social distancing.

After demonstrations outside the Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai, the UAE government released 400 Pakistani prisoners in mid-April. These individuals had been jailed for minor offences and were repatriated on special flights. This measure was taken considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Campaign for Freedom in the United Arab Emirates (ICFUAE) subsequently called on UAE authorities to “release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, particularly those held beyond their release dates and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which prisoners remain one of the most vulnerable groups of people to the disease.”

Human Rights Watch denounced the poor conditions in UAE prisons on 10 June, calling authorities to reduce prison populations to allow for social distancing.

The director general of correctional institutions announced on 24 May the release of some inmates in Dubai’s main prison, in order to reduce the population during the COVID-19 outbreak. He confirmed that since the beginning of the pandemic, there are around 35 per cent fewer prisoners in the prison.

Other protests were organized in early May by young migrants, in a labour camp near Abu Dhabi. Many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and did not receive the payment of their wages.

14 April 2020​

Thousands of Ethiopian workers - including large numbers of domestic workers - were deported from the UAE (as well as Saudi Arabia) over the weekend (10-12 April). Deported on cargo planes, some were reported to be displaying symptoms of Covid-19, although none had been tested for the virus. According to the UAE government, they were vulnerable to spreading the disease and thus needed to be removed from the country. Ethiopia’s Health Minister confirmed that thousands had been deported from both UAE and Saudi Arabia, and that the country expected thousands more to be returned in the next 15 days. As the UN Humanitarian co-ordinator for Ethiopia has said, "This is simply not the moment for mass deportations from a public health perspective. … These mass deportations, without any pre-departure medical screening are likely to exacerbate the spread of Covid-19 to the region and beyond."

23 March 2020

UAE authorities provide little information regarding where non-citizens are detained for immigration-related reasons. Some sources indicate that the country has operated at least one dedicated deportation facility, but detainees are also known to have been held in criminal prisons.

Authorities announced on 23 March 2020 that all inbound, outbound, and transit flights would be suspended in the next 48 hours. Human Rights Watch called on UAE authorities to consider the conditional release of persons with underlying health conditions – such as HIV – as “Covid-19 … poses a particularly serious risk to people who live in close proximity to each other, such as in prisons, jails, and immigration detention centres.”

United Arab Emirates Immigration Detention Profile

(January 2016) Despite its efforts to cultivate a reputation as a bastion of culture and tourism in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates imposes harsh conditions on foreign workers, systematically represses those who speak out about abuses, and prevents investigations of its detention and...

www.globaldetentionproject.org

What about Qatar ? Why don’t you publish stuffs on them ?
Can you also publish human rights concerns (LOL) about Iran ?

You are just pissed off because they made peace with Israel and probably arrested pro HA people in the UAE - otherwise you wouldn’t care as usual

 

[NewLeb]

Well, when your country is known for being home to a terrorist group that is heavily involved in illicit activities like drug trafficking and money laundering, this stuff is kinda expected. ?‍

 

[Rafidi]

Well, when your country is known for being home to a terrorist group that is heavily involved in illicit activities like drug trafficking and money laundering, this stuff is kinda expected. ?‍

Which terrorist group?

So you can be randomly picked up and imprisoned without charge or warrant and without foreign authorities returning info to your embassy of your whereabout and reasons for arrest because there is a so called "terrorist group" in your country? Even terrorists themselves are not treated as such. What's the difference between such manner of arrest and kidnapping?

Apparently, when there are enemies within acting by the same sectarian impulses as the foreigner taking advantage of our nationals and spewing either hate or acting indifferent, then foreign authorities will take advantage of every Lebanese generally. Everyone Lebanese becomes a soft target and an easy prey. Today it may be one group's turn and tomorrow it may be your own group's turn. Life is turn by turn. Only that the difference between you and others is clear. Others wont act too low in refraining to defend your abused rights.

 

[NewLeb]

Which terrorist group?

So you can be randomly picked up and imprisoned without charge or warrant and without foreign authorities returning info to your embassy of your whereabout and reasons for arrest because there is a so called "terrorist group" in your country?

Last I checked, Dubai isn’t the West. I don’t think the former places much value on things like individual freedom.

Apparently, when there are enemies within acting by the same sectarian impulses as the foreigner taking advantage of our nationals and spewing either hate or acting indifferent, then foreign authorities will take advantage of every Lebanese generally. Everyone Lebanese becomes a soft target and an easy prey. Today it may be one group's turn and tomorrow it may be your own group's turn. Life is turn by turn. Only that the difference between you and others is clear. Others wont act too low in refraining to defend your abused rights.

Well, maybe it’s time for certain groups to realize that their actions will eventually have unwanted consequences in the world. That’s probably what Macron meant when he said that Hezbollah shouldn’t think it’s as powerful as it thinks it is. But does Hezbollah care? Nope.

 

[Rafidi]

Last I checked, Dubai isn’t the West. I don’t think the former places much value on things like individual freedom.




Well, maybe it’s time for certain groups to realize that their actions will eventually have unwanted consequences in the world. That’s probably what Macron meant when he said that Hezbollah shouldn’t think it’s as powerful as it thinks it is. But does Hezbollah care? Nope.

Look, I don't care about your political thoughts on this matter or who you disagree with and who you are for or against.

When innocent people are randomly picked up and without warrant or charges and without informing the Lebanese embassy, regardless of which sect or political views the victims are likely to ascribe to, it is an insult and an assault on all Lebanese. A similar fate befell the then Prime Minister himself in Saudi Arabia. Our citizens should not be seen as objects of kidnapping and victimization in foreign lands. And this is coming from fellow Arabs, which makes it more painful.

Our foreign ministry, government, president and PM and parliament should act. This precedence the Gulf countries are applying is wrong on the humanitarian level before the political level. I dont care about the politics involved. These men are likely innocent and running after their livelihood and they have been targeted based on stereotyping or because they are from a certain part of Lebanon. They likely have no political affiliation to any party. And everyone knows even two brothers from the same household may hold differing political views and political beliefs are in the mind. You cant arrest people for their political opinions. That would make them prisoners of conscience. Not like such arrest works on people's minds anyways. I expect the parliament speaker to speak and the MPs too. How would it look if Lebanon start to target or stereotype citizens from the GCC like they are doing?

 

[NewLeb]

Look, I don't care about your political thoughts on this matter or who you disagree with and who you are for or against.

When innocent people are randomly picked up and without warrant or charges and without informing the Lebanese embassy, regardless of which sect or political views the victims are likely to ascribe to, it is an insult and an assault on all Lebanese. A similar fate befell the then Prime Minister himself in Saudi Arabia. Our citizens should not be seen as objects of kidnapping and victimization in foreign lands. And this is coming from fellow Arabs, which makes it more painful.

Our foreign ministry, government, president and PM and parliament should act. This precedence the Gulf countries are applying is wrong on the humanitarian level before the political level. I dont care about the politics involved. These men are likely innocent and running after their livelihood and they have been targeted based on stereotyping or because they are from a certain part of Lebanon. They likely have no political affiliation to any party. And everyone knows even two brothers from the same household may hold differing political views and political beliefs are in the mind. You cant arrest people for their political opinions. That would make them prisoners of conscience. Not like such arrest works on people's minds anyways. I expect the parliament speaker to speak and the MPs too. How would it look if Lebanon start to target or stereotype citizens from the GCC like they are doing?

Where were you when Hezbollah goons showed up at the house of a family member of a Shiite colleague of mine, demanding his appearance for insulting the group on social media?

Again, Hezbollah can’t have it both ways. What the group is experiencing is only a reflection of its own tactics.

 

[vicking747]

Look, I don't care about your political thoughts on this matter or who you disagree with and who you are for or against.

When innocent people are randomly picked up and without warrant or charges and without informing the Lebanese embassy, regardless of which sect or political views the victims are likely to ascribe to, it is an insult and an assault on all Lebanese. A similar fate befell the then Prime Minister himself in Saudi Arabia. Our citizens should not be seen as objects of kidnapping and victimization in foreign lands. And this is coming from fellow Arabs, which makes it more painful.

Our foreign ministry, government, president and PM and parliament should act. This precedence the Gulf countries are applying is wrong on the humanitarian level before the political level. I dont care about the politics involved. These men are likely innocent and running after their livelihood and they have been targeted based on stereotyping or because they are from a certain part of Lebanon. They likely have no political affiliation to any party. And everyone knows even two brothers from the same household may hold differing political views and political beliefs are in the mind. You cant arrest people for their political opinions. That would make them prisoners of conscience. Not like such arrest works on people's minds anyways. I expect the parliament speaker to speak and the MPs too. How would it look if Lebanon start to target or stereotype citizens from the GCC like they are doing?

Which terrorist group?

So you can be randomly picked up and imprisoned without charge or warrant and without foreign authorities returning info to your embassy of your whereabout and reasons for arrest because there is a so called "terrorist group" in your country? Even terrorists themselves are not treated as such. What's the difference between such manner of arrest and kidnapping?

Apparently, when there are enemies within acting by the same sectarian impulses as the foreigner taking advantage of our nationals and spewing either hate or acting indifferent, then foreign authorities will take advantage of every Lebanese generally. Everyone Lebanese becomes a soft target and an easy prey. Today it may be one group's turn and tomorrow it may be your own group's turn. Life is turn by turn. Only that the difference between you and others is clear. Others wont act too low in refraining to defend your abused rights.

Habibe NewLeb is correct. You are looking for respect and human rights while you are completely destroying the Lebanese laws and act as if you wish. Due to this, the whole world is after you and the Lebanese Shiaa are the first ones to pay a heavy price outside of Lebanon.

Stop using the Israeli excuse to keep weapons. Disarm and build the State like everyone else.

You hate Lebanon ? Then partition it once for all and do whatever you want.
Why do we have to live with you ? Don’t you have honor ? We keep telling you we have nothing to do with you from far or near — leave us alone and build your own society

 

[Rafidi]

Where were you when Hezbollah goons showed up at the house of a family member of a Shiite colleague of mine, demanding his appearance for insulting the group on social media?

Again, Hezbollah can’t have it both ways. What the group is experiencing is only a reflection of its own tactics.

So how does this off topic relates to random men being arrested by a foreign nation in a kidnap like fashion?

I'm not going to ask you how you know those bullies, intolerant of opposing views are affiliated with Hezballah or just random cheerleaders on social media who took an online argument personal. And I'm not going ro ask you for a link to validate the story. This thread has it's own topic. Dont ask me where I was. Ask yourself: where is the thread you opened to discuss the issue? When such happens, speak up and seek solidarity from others. Dont stay quiet and then ask others where were they. How would I know your colleague got bullied and by who? Besides, this current topic isnt a random bullying incident. It is the action of a government of a foreign country we are discussing and not that of online bullies. @SeaAb Plese take note of off topics.

When you behave like political prostitutes, you shouldn't expect sympathy when you need it.

 

[Sayyid Muki]

Have to make sure these Lebanese "workers" are not Hizbullah sleeper agents. Good for the Arab countries and it's about damn time.

Poor Lebanese. Everywhere you go you're regarded as a terrorist now.

 

[HmsBThn]

Lebanese are all over the world as we know, as ordinary people migrating for a better livelihood and to even settle down and establish businesses and institutions and even intermarrying and assimilating into other cultures and nationalities. We are more in number outside of our country than inside of it.

A country where our compatriots have faced indiscriminate arrests and persecution, and their fundamental human rights abused without recourse to law, while that country continues to present itself as a moderate Arab nation on the path of progress and modernization is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE treats Lebanese nationals with a malicious tribal mentality and attitude.

Our compatriots like in many other countries they are found, choose the UAE to work and live in and to make their livelihood and get their daily bread. Their presence and struggle for a livelihood have been politicized by the UAE authorities, mostly on political and sectarian grounds. Ordinary people have been reduced to scapegoats.

Recently, days ago, 14 Lebanese were arbitrarily arrested, or rather kidnapped or at best have been victimized. And according to Lebanon's ambassador to the UAE, UAE authorities have given no explanation for the arbitrary arrests. Assuming we treat the nationals of the UAE and any other fellow Arab country in this manner or we as a people and country target the nationals of the UAE or another Arab country, what would have been the reaction of people, both within and outside Lebanon to such abuse of the rights of humans who are legal travellers? People are not supposed to be randomly arrested or targeted without a warrant for committing a crime. People are not supposed to be arrested and kept without bail or and should be charged for a crime. There should be convincing legal explanations if the nationals of a country are to be deported. These 14 men are not slaves who were captured and thrown into a prison cell. This abuse by the UAE has to stop. And this is not the first time they threaten to expel or arrest randomly Lebanese nationals (without anyone batting and eyelid, and) who work there and sweating for their livelihood while serving the economy and people of the UAE and making positive and constructive contributions to their host country and its it's people.

If the UAE has political bitterness towards any political organisation in Lebanon, their bitterness and anger should not be channelled in an abusive, random, unjustified and wicked way on ordinary people seeking a better life by doing legitimate work. Such insanity and inhumanity are not justified and cannot be representative of a modern and progressive society. This exposes the UAE authorities are still using a malicious tribal mentality and approach from the stone age to treat strangers and the nationals of another country (fellow Arabs) in their land. This is disgusting and goes against all Arab norms and human rights laws. Rights groups around the world need to raise the alarm because it is a very bad and dangerous precedence for humanity as a whole that the UAE is setting for others to follow by randomly and justifiably targeting the nationals of another country in such manner, without charges and without bail and with any arrest warrants.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens​

December 7, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played football.

Lebanese LBCI TV channel reported Dandan as saying that the investigations are still secret, noting that the Lebanese community is the second largest Arab community in the UAE, and has the lowest number of arrests.

Remarking on the UAE's decision to suspend visa applications for Lebanese citizens, Dandan said he has not been officially informed of the decision, adding that he had contacted Emirati authorities who confirmed no such decision has been made.

"Some Lebanese managed to obtain visas while others were unable to do so. There are conditions for obtaining visas, and in Lebanon there is a state of panic so people who submitted more than one visa application in one day have caused the 'system' to refuse their application. The only Emirate that has lifted the ban on visitors' visa is Dubai in light of the measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus," he added.

Envoy: No reasons given for UAE's arrest of 14 Lebanon citizens

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fouad Dandan, said he does not have information on the reasons why Emirati authorities arrested 14 Lebanese citizens last month as they played...

www.middleeastmonitor.com

Great news.
God bless UAE, who are progressing in the right direction and have offered so much to lebanon.