The United Arab Emirates' Federal Supreme Court made a significant decision on Tuesday by rejecting appeals on behalf of dozens of dissidents who were convicted in a mass trial that had garnered widespread international criticism. The State Security Chamber of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, opting to delay issuing a ruling on a separate appeal by prosecutors until April 8.
The initial ruling in 2024 resulted in 43 individuals receiving life sentences, while five defendants were sentenced to 15 years and another five to 10 years. The case was linked by the UAE government to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the Emirates. However, activists and critics viewed the trial as an attempt to suppress dissent, leading to protests during the COP28 U.N. climate talks in Dubai in 2023.
Although the UAE authorities have not disclosed the identities of those sentenced, it is known that activist Nasser bin Ghaith, an academic, was among those given a life sentence. Bin Ghaith had been in custody since August 2015 due to his social media activities.
The United Arab Emirates, while relatively progressive in some social aspects compared to its regional counterparts, enforces strict laws on freedom of expression and prohibits political parties and labor unions.
