UAE sentences more than 40 activists to life in prison

Last December, as people from around the world poured into the UAE for the Cop28 climate talks, the Gulf state announced it was putting more than 80 human rights activists and academics on trial on terrorism charges. Many had already been in jail for years, having originally been convicted in 2013 for starting a “terrorist” organisation called the Justice and Dignity committee. This week, a court in Abu Dhabi sentenced 10 of them to an additional 10 to 15 years behind bars, while 43 others were handed life sentences in what Human Rights Watch described as a “shamelessly unfair trial”. The court dismissed cases against 24 defendants and acquitted one, according to reports. The UAE has developed huge power and influence as it welcomes millions of expats: the country is home to 10 million people, only one million of whom are citizens. Among those citizens, the message is: do not dissent.