Thread by @dermotfeenan

1/8 Troubling statements by former Human Rights Chief in @BenQuinn75’s excellent article on #SheikhaLatifa matter. Until further notice, I suspend a prospective invitation to Mrs Robinson to participate in a human rights conference. bit.ly/2EUU9sW

2/8 Additional questions:

(i) Any communications between the UN and Mrs Robinson about the matter in advance?

(ii) On what basis did Mrs Robinson communicate with Zeid Raad Al Hussein, former Commissioner for Human Rights, regarding this matter?

3/8

(iii) Did anyone in or connected with UAE suggest that Mrs Robinson contact the current & former High Commissioners?

(iv) Did Mrs Robinson receive any payment towards any part of the trip and if so from whom?

4/8

(v) Will UAE allow Sheikha Latifa to:
- issue a statement, freely expressing her views,
- leave UAE, and
- remain abroad if she wishes, and respect any view she may express abroad?

5/8 Valid concerns are cited by both lawyers & human rights bodies; which, for academics like myself, must also be understood in the context of PhD student #MatthewHedges’ recent trial, & the numerous reports about human rights abuses, in UAE, as follows:

6/8 “arbitrarily detains and in some cases forcibly disappears individuals who criticize the authorities” (Human Rights Watch bit.ly/1Rv4Uhl);

7/8 “authorities continued to arbitrarily restrict freedoms of expression and association” (Amnesty International, bit.ly/2atzH18), and;

8/8 “significant human rights issues included allegations of torture in detention; arbitrary arrest and detention, including incommunicado detention” (US Department of State, Human Rights Report, 2017 bit.ly/2ivkC45).

Human rights matter.