Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) categorically condemns the arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, and grossly unjust sentencing of Yemeni citizen Abdullah Ali Abdulwahab by UAE authorities.

Abdulwahab was detained during a visit to Dubai in October 2022 and later sentenced to 15 years in prison for a Facebook post from 2019 in which he criticized UAE policies in Yemen. This case represents a blatant violation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, and underscores the UAE’s escalating use of its judicial system as a tool of repression against critics, even those residing outside its borders. 

The circumstances surrounding Abdulwahab’s detention are deeply alarming. According to credible reports, he was subjected to enforced disappearance for an extended period, during which he was denied contact with his family and access to legal representation. His trial lacked even the most basic guarantees of fairness, as he was not permitted to defend himself or secure legal counsel. The retroactive prosecution of a social media post made three years prior—and outside the UAE—constitutes a clear breach of international law, particularly the principles of non-retroactivity and freedom of expression enshrined in global human rights conventions. 

This harsh sentence is emblematic of a broader pattern of politically motivated prosecutions and the use of disproportionate penalties to silence dissent. Such practices not only undermine the independence and credibility of the UAE’s judicial system but also reinforce a climate of fear and repression that threatens anyone who dares to criticize Emirati policies, regardless of their location. 

Abdulwahab’s case is not an isolated incident. It is part of a deliberate and systematic campaign by UAE authorities to suppress freedom of opinion and expression both domestically and internationally. A similar example is the case of Egyptian writer and activist Abdelrahman Youssef al-Qaradawi, who was arrested in Lebanon in December 2024 at the request of UAE authorities due to his criticism of regional policies. These actions demonstrate the UAE’s willingness to extend its repressive reach beyond its borders, using extradition requests and politically motivated charges to target dissidents globally. 

WJWC holds the UAE authorities fully accountable for the safety and well-being of Abdullah Ali Abdulwahab and demands that they immediately and unconditionally release him. His detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and a direct violation of international human rights standards. WJWC further calls for: 

• An end to all forms of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance in the UAE.
• Respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression as guaranteed under international law.
• An independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Abdulwahab’s arrest, detention, and trial, with accountability for those responsible for these violations.

WJWC urges the United Nations and its mechanisms, including the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, to intervene urgently. It also calls on these bodies to pressure the UAE to cease its oppressive practices, ensure justice for victims, and uphold its obligations under international human rights law. 

Furthermore, WJWC appeals to the international community, human rights organizations, and governments to take decisive action against the UAE’s systematic repression of activists, journalists, and political dissidents. Continued impunity for such violations undermines international human rights frameworks and emboldens authoritarian repression globally. The international community must recognize that failing to act now will embolden further transnational repression and endanger more individuals. 

The case of Abdullah Ali Abdulwahab serves as a stark reminder that the UAE operates as a state that prioritizes silencing dissent over upholding justice. The organization calls on governments, media organizations, and civil society to amplify this case and pressure the UAE to cease its repressive practices immediately. The international community must act swiftly to hold the UAE accountable and prevent further abuses that endanger individuals and erode fundamental freedoms. 

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)

February 8, 2025