IMMIGRATION
Published January 26, 2009 at Amnesty International
MAS Freedom Joins Amnesty International in Urging Support of Naji Hamdan
Imprisoned in United Arab Emirates
Naji Jawdat Hamdan, a US citizen of Lebanese origin, has been charged with
terrorism-related offences and is likely to face trial within days, apparently on the
basis of a statement he signed after being tortured. Amnesty International fears
that he is at risk of being sentenced to death without the possibility of an appeal.
Naji Jawdat Hamdan was arrested at his home in the Emirate of ‘Ajman on 29
August 2008 by members of Amn al-Dawla (State Security). He was taken to Abu
Dhabi where he was held incommunicado in solitary confinement until 26
November 2008, when he was transferred to al-Wathba prison in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi. He is said to have been charged with “promoting terrorism,
participating in the work of a terrorist organization and cooperating with a
terrorist organization”. Naji Jawdat Hamdan alleges that he was tortured while
held incommunicado, in an underground cell in Abu Dhabi and under interrogation.
He says he was kept blindfolded, and repeatedly punched and kicked all over his
body until he lost consciousness. At times the mattress and blanket were removed
from his cell and the air conditioning system was turned up. His interrogators told
him that he should "confess" to being a member of al-Qa’ida, and when he
refused, one of the interrogators forced him onto the floor and another beat him
on the soles of the feet. At some point, he says, he was made to sit on a chair and
had his wrists and legs strapped to it, and was told that it was an electric chair.
During one interrogation session, he says someone who he believes to have been
a US national spoke to him, and advised him to “do what they want”. Ultimately,
he signed a statement to avoid further torture. He was subsequently charged with
terrorism-related offences. Amnesty International does not know the contents of
the statement; or the exact charges faced by Naji Jawdat Hamdan.
Naji Jawdat Hamdan will appear before the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court, the
highest court in the country, possibly in early February, and will be tried under a
2004 law which prescribes the death penalty for certain terrorism-related
offences. Verdicts passed by the Federal Supreme Court cannot be appealed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Political suspects in the UAE are commonly held incommunicado in undisclosed
locations. Those arrested by Amn al-Dawla are reportedly often kept in solitary
confinement. A few political detainees have been allowed to make brief and limited
phone calls to their families. Political parties do not exist in the UAE; political
dissent is not tolerated and there are severe restrictions on freedom of
expression.
The use of torture of political detainees has been widely reported. Methods have
included sleep deprivation, suspension by the wrists or ankles followed by severe
beatings to the soles of the feet and even the use of electric shocks to various
parts of the body.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own
language:
APPEALS TO
Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum
Office of the Prime Minister
POB 73311
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Fax: +971 4 330 4000
Salutation: Your Highness
Minister of the Interior
Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ministry of the Interior
PO Box 398
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 2 4414938
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs
His Excellency
Muhammad bin Nakhira Al-Dhahiri
Ministry of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs
PO Box 753
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 2 681 0680
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 1
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 4 3572113
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO
Diplomatic representatives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accredited to your
country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or
your section office, if sending appeals after 9 March 2009.
URL: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE25/001/2009/en/65be4f09-ec5c-11dd-ab50-
472a8908d373/mde250012009en.html
Published January 26, 2009 at Amnesty International
MAS Freedom Joins Amnesty International in Urging Support of Naji Hamdan
Imprisoned in United Arab Emirates
Naji Jawdat Hamdan, a US citizen of Lebanese origin, has been charged with
terrorism-related offences and is likely to face trial within days, apparently on the
basis of a statement he signed after being tortured. Amnesty International fears
that he is at risk of being sentenced to death without the possibility of an appeal.
Naji Jawdat Hamdan was arrested at his home in the Emirate of ‘Ajman on 29
August 2008 by members of Amn al-Dawla (State Security). He was taken to Abu
Dhabi where he was held incommunicado in solitary confinement until 26
November 2008, when he was transferred to al-Wathba prison in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi. He is said to have been charged with “promoting terrorism,
participating in the work of a terrorist organization and cooperating with a
terrorist organization”. Naji Jawdat Hamdan alleges that he was tortured while
held incommunicado, in an underground cell in Abu Dhabi and under interrogation.
He says he was kept blindfolded, and repeatedly punched and kicked all over his
body until he lost consciousness. At times the mattress and blanket were removed
from his cell and the air conditioning system was turned up. His interrogators told
him that he should "confess" to being a member of al-Qa’ida, and when he
refused, one of the interrogators forced him onto the floor and another beat him
on the soles of the feet. At some point, he says, he was made to sit on a chair and
had his wrists and legs strapped to it, and was told that it was an electric chair.
During one interrogation session, he says someone who he believes to have been
a US national spoke to him, and advised him to “do what they want”. Ultimately,
he signed a statement to avoid further torture. He was subsequently charged with
terrorism-related offences. Amnesty International does not know the contents of
the statement; or the exact charges faced by Naji Jawdat Hamdan.
Naji Jawdat Hamdan will appear before the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court, the
highest court in the country, possibly in early February, and will be tried under a
2004 law which prescribes the death penalty for certain terrorism-related
offences. Verdicts passed by the Federal Supreme Court cannot be appealed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Political suspects in the UAE are commonly held incommunicado in undisclosed
locations. Those arrested by Amn al-Dawla are reportedly often kept in solitary
confinement. A few political detainees have been allowed to make brief and limited
phone calls to their families. Political parties do not exist in the UAE; political
dissent is not tolerated and there are severe restrictions on freedom of
expression.
The use of torture of political detainees has been widely reported. Methods have
included sleep deprivation, suspension by the wrists or ankles followed by severe
beatings to the soles of the feet and even the use of electric shocks to various
parts of the body.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own
language:
- expressing concern that Naji Jawdat Hamdan was detained incommunicado
for three months and tortured;
- urging that the allegations of torture be fully and independently
investigated without delay, and for anyone found responsible be brought to
justice;
- expressing concern that charges have been brought against him apparently
on the basis of a statement he alleges was signed under torture;
- expressing concern that he is facing an unfair trial and may receive the
death penalty if convicted;
- calling on the authorities to ensure that Naji Jawdat Hamdan receives a fair
trial, in accordance with international - fair trial standards, which prohibit the admission of testimony obtained
through torture.
APPEALS TO
Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum
Office of the Prime Minister
POB 73311
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Fax: +971 4 330 4000
Salutation: Your Highness
Minister of the Interior
Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ministry of the Interior
PO Box 398
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 2 4414938
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs
His Excellency
Muhammad bin Nakhira Al-Dhahiri
Ministry of Justice, Awqaf & Islamic Affairs
PO Box 753
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 2 681 0680
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
PO Box 1
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: + 971 4 3572113
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO
Diplomatic representatives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accredited to your
country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or
your section office, if sending appeals after 9 March 2009.
URL: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE25/001/2009/en/65be4f09-ec5c-11dd-ab50-
472a8908d373/mde250012009en.html
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| ALERT MAS Freedom Joins American Civil Liberties Union in Demanding Release of U.S. Citizen Detained in United Arab Emirates (Read) c TAKE ACTION! Urge Congress and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene in securing Naji Hamdan's return to the U.S. and to ensure he is not prosecuted in the U.A.E. with evidence obtained through torture. Send Your Letter Today! DOWNLOAD POSTCARD TO SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON HERE! RELEASE NAJI HAMDAN Sign Petition Here! MEDIA GUIDE HERE (PDF - 41 Pages) Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Nov. 19, 2008 (PDF - 33 Pages) (Read) IN THE NEWS ARABIC CONTENT AVAILABLE HERE MARCH 23, 2009 American Muslim's Case Poses a Test U.S. Role Alleged in Detention in UAE Washington Post (Read) An American Awaits (Elusive) Justice Abroad by Munira Syeda March 19, 2009 (Read) Islamic Group Campaigns for Detainee's Rights DailyBreeze March 12, 2009 (Read) Islamic Civil Rights Group Calls for Release of U.S. Citizen in UAE LA Times March 12, 2009 (Read) Mosaic News 3/6/09 World News from the Middle East 'Rendition as Usual' Al Jazeera TV, Qatar VIDEO REPORT ENGLISH OR ARABIC Emirates: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Naji Hamdan in UAE at Request of U.S. Alkarama for Human Rights Jan. 28, 2009 (Read) Naji's News Islamic Shura Council of Southern California Dec. 23, 2008 (Read) STOP THE TORTURE IslamiCity Dec. 12, 2008 (Read) U.S. Complicit in American's Detention and Torture in UAE ACLU S. CA Dec. 12, 2008 (Read) U.S. Citizen Allegedly Tortured in UAE Los Angeles Times Dec. 4, 2008 (Read) Lebanese-American Tortured in UAE After Washington-Backed Arrest Agence France Presse Dec. 5, 2008 (Read) Did U.S. Push Detention of American Without Charges? McClatchy Newspapers Nov. 17, 2008 (Read) |
