Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, a prominent academic and Economist, was re-arrestd in Abu Dhabi allegedly for criticizing Egypt. bin Ghaith was re-arrested by state security agents on August 18 when leaving his office. He has not been heard from since that time. Neither his attorney nor his family members have heard from him nor have they received any information on his whereabouts or charges against him.
October 31, 2015
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President of the United Arab Emirates
Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Corniche Road
PO Box 280, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Fax: +971 2 622 2228
Email: ihtimam@mopa.aeYour Highness:
We are an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world. We write now with grave concern for Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith. Your government looked into his case in 2o11 and issued a pardon.
Dr. bin Ghaith is an Economist and prominent academic. It is reported that on August 18 state security agents re-arrested Dr. bin Ghaith as he departed his office in Abu Dhabi and took him to an unknown location. To this day, neither his attorney nor his family have been informed of his whereabouts, nor have they heard from him. To date, there has been no public statement of charges against him, nor any other explanation for his arrest. It has been reported that his detention is likely to be related to recent statements he reportedly made criticizing Egypt.
If these reports are true, Dr. bin Ghaith’s detention would be a violation of internationally recognized standards of free expression, due process, fair trial and detention as noted in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent instruments.
We are requesting the immediate release of Dr. bin Ghaith and that harassment towards him cease. We seek a speedy response from you and assurance that Dr. bin Ghaith will receive proper medical care, his well-being will be assured and he will be given contact with his attorney and his family.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Related articles
- Disclose Whereabouts of Prominent Activist (forcechange.com)
- UAE: Torture fears for prominent academic held in secret detention (refworld.org)
- Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (September 2) (jadaliyya.com)
Take Action
SAR calls for letters on behalf of Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith of the UAE