Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Alkarama organization say detainees in the United Arab Emirates have been subjected to \u00cb\u0153systematic torture.\u00e2\u201e\u00a2\n<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the three rights groups said in a joint statement that they had received 22 handwritten letters sent by some of the detainees, citing \u00c5\u201csystematic mistreatment and torture.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cThe mistreatment described in the letters is consistent with other allegations of torture at UAE state security facilities, and indicates that torture is a systematic practice at these facilities,\u201d the groups stated. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
A group of 94 Emirati nationals are awaiting trial over charges of plotting to overthrow the government. They are reportedly members or supporters of Al-Islah group, which is linked to Egypt\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Muslim Brotherhood. <\/p>\n
On March 4, some defendants told the judge during their first trial hearing that they had been \u00c5\u201cseriously ill-treated during months in detention,\u201d the rights groups said, urging Emirati officials to \u00c5\u201censure prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The detainees are expecting a court ruling on July 2. They were arrested between March and December 2012 on charges of belonging to an \u00c5\u201cillegal secret group plotting to take power.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
On June 19, Emirati authorities announced that they would put on trial a group of 30 Egyptian and Emiratis on charges of running an illegal branch of Egypt\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Muslim Brotherhood.\n<\/p>\n
In this regard, prosecutor Ahmed al-Danhani said the group had attempted to recruit new members and received financial assistance from a \u00c5\u201csecret organization that had sought to seize power in the country,\u201d apparently referring to the group of 94 Emirati detainees.\n<\/p>\n
MKA\/HSN<\/p>\n