A/HRC/25/60/Add.2
were denied prompt access to medical care. In its reply, the Government stated that the
information in the communication was in part based on inaccurate and incomplete
information, stating that the protests relevant to Gezi Park exhibit qualities that show that
terrorist organizations have been involved in the activities and that the incidents have been
manipulated. The Government stated that proper and proportionate force was used by the
police to disperse the protesters. The Government stated that allegations of torture and illtreatment do not reflect the truth, and that in “cases where the boundaries of the law were
exceeded during the Gezi Park demonstrations, judicial investigations have been
immediately initiated by the judicial authorities,” including charges of torture against police
officers. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the reply of the Government of the Republic
of Turkey and its explanation regarding the investigation into allegations of torture and illtreatment, although he would appreciate more complete information about such
investigations, its conditions regarding independence and impartiality, and its results. The
Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to continue its engagement with the
mandate. He wishes to remind the Government of its obligation to provide full redress,
including fair and adequate compensation, and as full rehabilitation as possible to all
victims of torture or other ill-treatment.
United Arab Emirates
(a)
JUA 16/04/2013 Case No. ARE 1/2013 State Reply: 10/06/2013 Alleged use of a
confession extracted through torture as a key piece of evidence in Mr. Al-Hadidi’s trial, as
well as alleged lack of due process and unfair trial practices.
158. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its
reply, dated 24 May 2013, to this communication in reference to the alleged trial of 94
individuals on charges of state security offences in the Federal Supreme Court in Abu
Dhabi, case number 17/2013, as well as the alleged sentencing of Mr. Abdullah Al-Hadidi
for his reports on the trial. According to the information received, the 94 individuals were
arrested at various moments over the year leading up to the start of trial proceedings which
took place in two hearings on 4 and 11 March 2013. The charges against the defendants
reportedly included charges of founding and administering an institution aimed at
overthrowing the government. The prosecution considers Al-Islah to have a subversive
agenda and links to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, an organization banned in the
United Arab Emirates. Sources have informed that no timeframe or schedule has been set
out for the trial, leading to periods of up to one year spent in pre-trial detention. A
confession by Mr. Ahmad Ghaith Al-Suwaidi allegedly constitutes a central piece of
evidence supporting the charges, though it was allegedly extracted through torture. It is
further alleged that several of the detainees were kept in conditions that, if found to be
accurate, may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Reports allege
that some detainees were kept in small cells of 2.5 x 3 meters with lights kept on during the
night, deprived of virtually any clothing despite powerful air-conditioning being on, had
access to insufficient toilet facilities, were kept in lengthy interrogation sessions while
blindfolded and in some cases subject to physical abuse including beatings and the
extraction of fingernails. It is alleged that during court hearings, detainees including
Messrs. Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Alsidiq, Ahmed Al-Zaabi and Essa Al-Sari reported
having been targeted for such practices. It is further reported that a number of detainees
displayed physical signs of torture during hearings, and that at the hearing on 11 March,
relatives of Mr. Essa Al-Sari were alarmed at the deterioration of his mental health since
being detained. There are also allegations of irregularities which violated international
minimum standards for the conduct of a fair trial. The judges are appointed by the ruling
royal families of the United Arab Emirates, who have reportedly delivered numerous
statements to national news media condemning the defendants in case 17/2013. There are
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