Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates

#Partner event

The Geneva Press Club, in collaboration with Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC), CAP Freedom of Conscience, MENA Rights Group and the Egyptian Human Rights Forum invite you to a conference with:

• Thierry Valle, President of CAP Freedom of Conscience
• Falah Sayed, Human Rights Officer at MENA Rights Group
• Hamad Al-Shamsi, Executive Director of the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC)
• Ahmed Al-Nuaimi, exiled member of the “UAE94” trial
• Moataz El-Fegiery, Co-founder and President of the Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
• Matthew Hedges, a British academic specialised in Security Studies

Moderated by James Lynch, Director of FairSquare

To participate, please register using the following links:

Since the 2013 trial of the “UAE 94”, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly relied on mass trials to target human rights defenders and activists advocating for democratic reforms.

UN independent experts have consistently expressed concern about the detention of individuals for “legitimately exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms” and the lack of due process guarantees.

Human rights organisations and legal observers have reported widespread disregard for fair trial guarantees, highlighting serious violations such as restricted access to case materials, inadequate legal representation, coerced testimony, and the use of double jeopardy in retrying individuals for the same offences.

In June 2025, the UAE Supreme Court upheld existing convictions and reconvicted defendants on charges of “terrorist” links, resulting in a substantial number of life sentences.

Join us for a discussion with experts, advocates, victims, and legal practitioners on the ongoing human rights crisis in the UAE.