The resolution, which passed by overwhelming majority, represents the first major intervention by the European Parliament on human rights in the United Arab Emirates this year. The resolution was debated during an EU plenary session earlier today, during which MEPs raised concerns about the human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates and urged the EU to take a strong stance on the issue.
Husain Abdulla, Executive Director of European Center for Democracy and Human Rights (ECDHR), commented:
“This resolution is an important step toward holding the UAE government accountable for its ongoing systematic human rights violations against its own citizens and its utter disregard to international law. The UAE government has embraced AN ARRAY of tactics to whitewash and cover its horrible human rights record, one of the leading METHODS being Dubai Expo 2020. Today’s VOTE by the European Parliament URGING businesses AND EUROPEAN MEMBER STATES to withdraw FROM THIS BLOOD-TINTED expo is a victory FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE UAE, IN EUROPE AND EVERYWHERE”