UN Urged to Investigate Lebanon's Role in Torture of Egyptian-Turkish Poet Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations special rapporteur on torture is being called upon to investigate Lebanon's involvement in the imprisonment of Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi. Qaradawi, a vocal critic of the Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi governments, has been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months without access to sunlight, a lawyer, or official charges in the United Arab Emirates.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist, was arrested by Lebanese authorities after returning from Syria in December 2024 and extradited to the UAE on 8 January.
  • Qaradawi was charged with "fake news" and "disturbing public security" over a video he posted in Syria criticizing the Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi governments.
  • Lebanese authorities complied with a UAE arrest warrant circulated through the Arab Interior Ministers Council, a little-known transnational organization that fosters security cooperation between Arab states.
  • Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months, with no access to sunlight, facing torture according to his lawyers.
  • He has not had access to a lawyer nor has he been officially charged with a crime.
  • The UN special rapporteur on torture is being urged to investigate Lebanon's role in Qaradawi's imprisonment.
  • A group of UN special rapporteurs have expressed concern over the conditions of Qaradawi's detention, saying that his rights have been violated.
  • Qaradawi's family has expressed concerns, stating that they have been allowed to see him for only two 10-minute visits since he was detained.
  • Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have warned that Qaradawi's detention creates a chilling precedent for freedom of expression in the Middle East.

Statistics:

  • Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months.
  • He has had no access to sunlight during his detention.
  • Qaradawi has been denied access to a lawyer since his imprisonment.
  • He has not been officially charged with a crime.
  • The Arab Interior Ministers Council has circulated at least one arrest warrant for Qaradawi.
  • Qaradawi was extradited to the UAE on 8 January, despite being neither a citizen of the UAE nor of Lebanon.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • The New York Times
  • Amnesty International
  • Arab Interior Ministers Council
  • UN special rapporteurs (group)
  • Rodney Dixon, international legal counsel for Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi