The journalist's forced deportation to the UAE establishes a dangerous precedent for transnational repression.
This statement was originally published on afteegypt.org on 11 January 2025.
The undersigned organizations express their deep concern over the disappearance of journalist and poet Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi since January 8, 2025, following his boarding of a private plane bound for Abu Dhabi. This deportation was carried out in execution of a decision by the Lebanese Council of Ministers to extradite him to the UAE, based on a claim filed by the Emirati Public Prosecutor. This alarming legal precedent represents a flagrant misuse of international security agreements to settle political scores with dissidents. It reflects a troubling trend of exploiting international security cooperation as a tool to suppress fundamental freedoms and restrict individuals’ right to express their opinions.
The undersigned organizations call on the Emirati authorities to immediately disclose the location and conditions of Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi’s detention and to guarantee his right to communicate with his family and legal representation. We hold the Emirati authorities fully accountable for his physical and mental well-being and demand his immediate and unconditional release, allowing him to return safely to Turkey, where he resides and holds citizenship. Furthermore, we urge the Turkish authorities to take an urgent action and exert diplomatic pressure to uncover Abdulrahman’s fate and secure his release promptly, especially given the UAE’s notorious record of torturing and oppressing prisoners of conscience.
Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities on December 28, 2024, upon his return from Syria, based on a complaint by the Emirati Public Prosecutor conveyed via the Lebanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The case stemmed from a video Abdulrahman had posted on his personal page and an alleged extradition request from Egyptian authorities. He was interrogated by the Lebanese Public Prosecutor regarding the UAE’s claims. Subsequently, the Lebanese Council of Ministers, amid significant political calculations and collusion, hastily decided to extradite him to the UAE on January 8, 2025. Since then, all communication between Abdulrahman, his family, and his lawyer has been cut, and Emirati authorities have not provided any information about his whereabouts, conditions of detention, or legal proceedings, if any exist.
This incident adds to a series of practices that exacerbate the ongoing decline in respect for human rights in the region. International security cooperation is increasingly used as a cover for severe violations, leading to an expanded crackdown on political dissidents and defenders. These practices aim to intimidate human rights defenders and political opponents, wherever they may be. Moreover, such incidents pose a direct threat to the universal human rights system, as forced extradition and targeting of individuals beyond their home countries constitute blatant violations of international law and establish a dangerous precedent for transnational repression.
Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi, a poet, journalist, and media figure holding both Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, is known for his defense of freedom and democracy and his staunch opposition to authoritarian regimes. During the rule of former President Hosni Mubarak, he was one of the regime’s most prominent critics, co-founding movements such as “Kefaya” and supporting leading political figures like Mohamed ElBaradei and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. His activism made him a target for persecution and fabricated charges. Since 2015, Abdulrahman has resided in Turkey, where he continues to advocate for justice and human rights.
The undersigned organizations call for the following actions:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi and his safe return to Turkey, where he resides and holds citizenship.
- Full disclosure of his current whereabouts and detention conditions, along with guarantees of his physical and mental safety.
- Unrestricted access to regular communication with his family and legal representatives, ensuring his right to defend himself against any allegations.
- Holding the Emirati authorities fully accountable for his physical and mental well-being, as well as for any violations of his fundamental rights.
- Urging the Turkish authorities to:
- Submit an urgent formal request for a consular visit to confirm his safety and well-being.
- Issue a public statement clarifying the circumstances of his detention.
- Exert all necessary pressure to secure his release promptly and ensure his safe return to Turkey.
