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A new report by “Journalists Without Chains” reveals that the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Law No. (7) of 2014 on Combating Terrorist Crimes, along with its amendments, is being used as a systematic tool to suppress peaceful opposition and civil society, leading to serious human rights violations.
The 48-page report, titled “UAE’s Counter-Terrorism Law: A Tool for Political Score-Settling?”, highlights that the law’s broad and vague definitions of terrorism, coupled with sweeping powers granted to authorities – including the possibility of indefinite detention – undermine fundamental rights and foster a climate of fear and self-censorship.
The report examines multiple cases in which the law was applied in mass trials, used to place dissidents and human rights activists abroad on terrorism lists, and to punish their families. It also documents cases of citizenship revocation, leaving individuals stateless, and the continued detention of dozens in so-called “counseling centers” after they had served their original sentences – a practice the organization views as arbitrary detention in violation of international law.
Key findings include:
• Vague definitions: The law defines terrorism in overly broad terms, such as “opposing the state” or “influencing public authorities,” enabling the criminalization of peaceful criticism and protest. The definition of “terrorist organization” to include any group of two or more people intending to commit a “terrorist crime” allows targeting of legitimate civil society organizations.
• Excessive powers and harsh penalties: The Cabinet can place individuals and entities on terrorism lists without clear criteria or judicial review. Those listed face asset freezes, confiscations, and severe penalties – including the death penalty or life imprisonment – for non-violent acts such as “promoting” or “endorsing” designated organizations.
• Fair trial violations: The law allows extended pre-trial detention, and there are documented cases of political detainees kept in prison beyond their sentences on grounds of “terrorist risk.” Trials are often held in secret, and access to legal counsel is restricted. Reports indicate a pattern of torture and ill-treatment to extract confessions, despite the UAE being a party to the Convention Against Torture.
• Impact on human rights: The law undermines freedom of association by enabling the designation of NGOs as “terrorist,” leading to their dissolution and prosecution of members. It erodes the right to privacy by granting authorities unchecked powers to monitor electronic communications and access personal and financial data without sufficient judicial oversight. Freedom of expression is also threatened, with vague “terrorist purpose” clauses allowing peaceful criticism or reform advocacy to be prosecuted as “undermining public order” or “encouraging terrorism.” The report cites the cases of Maryam al-Balushi and Amina al-Abduli, who received additional sentences after recording audio messages detailing prison abuses.
• Counseling centers: Under the law, the Public Prosecution can request that individuals deemed to hold “extremist thought” be placed in “counseling centers” indefinitely, even after completing their sentences. UN experts have raised serious concerns over this system, describing it as arbitrary detention. The report notes its use to hold dozens of political prisoners for months or years beyond their release dates.
• Targeting of dissidents and human rights defenders: The law has been used to prosecute peaceful calls for reform in mass trials such as “UAE 94” and “UAE 84,” and to blacklist dissidents, their relatives, and their businesses abroad.
• Citizenship revocation: Political detainees have had their citizenship stripped, along with their relatives, leaving them stateless (“bidoon”), without access to government services, and unable to travel, work, or study.
International obligations:
The UAE is a party to several international treaties that limit counter-terrorism powers and require respect for human rights. Many provisions of the law conflict with basic rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – including freedoms of expression, assembly, and privacy – and with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the UAE is bound under customary international law. Practices such as prolonged detention, denial of legal counsel, and patterns of torture also violate the Convention Against Torture.
Recommendations:
The organization urges UAE authorities to:
• Amend the definitions of “terrorism” and “terrorist organization” to meet international standards focused on violent acts, and remove vague terms such as “opposing the state” or “influencing public authorities.”
• Guarantee fair trial rights, including protection from arbitrary arrest, prompt access to legal counsel, and prohibition of evidence obtained under torture.
• End all provisions allowing indefinite detention, including in “counseling centers.”
• Ensure judicial independence from the executive branch.
• Protect freedoms of expression, association, and privacy.
• Investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
• Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant treaties.
• Cooperate fully with UN human rights mechanisms and allow visits by Special Procedures mandate holders.
The report also calls on the international community and UAE’s Western allies to press for these reforms and to link trade and partnership agreements to measurable progress on human rights.
To read the report, click here.
