Families of UK citizens held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over allegations of sharing images related to the conflict with Iran have voiced frustration at the British government’s failure to provide assistance. Several British nationals are among more than 100 foreign detainees held under draconian Emirati laws that outlaw publishing or sharing material that could “disturb public security.”
UK government ministers have refused to condemn the arrests, amid claims they are too fearful of offending the Emirates due to their economic clout. The campaign group Dubai Watch, supporting nine British detainees, stated their identities cannot be revealed for fear of reprisals but shared anonymized correspondence from their increasingly anxious families with The Guardian. A mother whose daughter is detained wrote: “This experience is exhausting, mentally and emotionally.”
She expressed growing fears for her daughter’s safety as attacks continued: “I spoke to [my daughter] last night and they are no longer allowed to go outside in the courtyard as it’s now deemed too dangerous. This is an even bigger worry as they are all just sitting ducks.” Another message from a woman whose husband was detained under the same law said the case had been “mishandled” and added: “We are scared because nobody is telling us the truth. Can you please help us.”
Police in Abu Dhabi said those detained had “filmed sites and events and disseminated inaccurate information via social media platforms during the ongoing events, an action that could stir public opinion and spread rumours among community members.” In a statement, officials labeled these “violations” as a “misuse of social media.”
Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, confirmed one detainee is a constituent from St Albans and said their family is frustrated by the lack of consular help. She told The Guardian: “I’m deeply concerned that my constituent has been held with very little contact with their family, with no clear access to legal counsel, and no confirmation that UK consular officials have been permitted to visit them. The family are distressed and desperate for information about their wellbeing.”
Human rights lawyer and founder of Dubai Watch, David Haigh, claimed: “There’s an awful lot more than five cases. The embassy is overwhelmed.” He added: “There hasn’t been any government intervention because it would offend the UAE and they don’t want to do that. Impotent is the best way to describe the response. They’re too scared – it’s all about the money and investment from the UAE.” He estimated around 90 British citizens are currently detained.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed five UK nationals are receiving consular assistance in the UAE. Last month, Dubai police confirmed the arrest of 109 individuals of various nationalities who shared images of war damage in Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE. The number of detainees is feared to be much higher, as Dubai was home to over 200,000 British citizens before the conflict.
Source: www.theguardian.com