Your Excellency:
I am writing to you as the Chair of the Committee on Human Rights of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the Academies) in the United States to once again request your assistance with the case of Emirati engineer Ahmed Mansoor, a scientific colleague currently being held in Abu Dhabi. The Committee on Human Rights is joined in this request by XX other distinguished members of the Academies, who asked that their names be added to this letter. As you can see from the numbers, Mr. Mansoor’s situation is of great concern to many Academy members.
On March 20, 2017, Mr. Mansoor was arrested without a warrant at his home before dawn by 12 security officials, and his computers and electronic devices were confiscated. We understand that, for over a week, he was held incommunicado in an undisclosed location, raising concerns about his well-being. His family did not know his whereabouts until March 29 and was not able to see him until April 3, during a short supervised visit. I understand that Mr. Mansoor was arrested by order of the Public Prosecution for Cybercrimes and that he has been charged with publishing false information and rumors, as well as promoting a sectarian agenda, through his writings on social media. It is my understanding that he has not been permitted to speak with a lawyer.
Mr. Mansoor is well-known internationally for his longtime peaceful advocacy for political reform and respect for human rights in your country through his online writings. We understand that in the weeks just prior to his arrest, he had called publicly for the release of prisoners of conscience, including Emirati rights activist Osama Al-Najjar, who completed his prison sentence last month but remains imprisoned. Such activities constitute the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In late March, a group of independent U.N. rights experts issued a statement calling for Mr. Mansoor’s immediate release. We share their concerns that Mr. Mansoor’s arrest “constitutes an act of reprisal for his engagement with U.N. human rights mechanisms, for the views he expressed on social media, including Twitter, as well as for being an active member of [international human rights] organizations…” Our concern for Mr. Mansoor’s welfare is heightened by reliable reports that he is being held in solitary confinement, has been permitted only one short supervised visit with his family, and continues to be denied access to legal counsel.
Insomuch as his current detention appears to stem from his peaceful human rights activities, we respectfully urge you to use your good offices to help secure Mr. Mansoor’s immediate and unconditional release from detention. In the interim, we ask that you ensure that his conditions of confinement are brought into conformity with the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), including that he be promptly removed from solitary confinement and be allowed regular access to his family, to legal counsel, and to any needed medical care.
Thank you in advance, Your Excellency, for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully yours,
Martin Chalfie, Ph.D.
(2008 Nobel Laureate, Chemistry)
This letter will be sent to the following individuals:
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
Copies to:
His Majesty Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Interior of the United Arab Emirates
His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States of America
The Honorable Barbara Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates