UN Expert Urged to Probe Lebanon Over Alleged Torture of Egyptian-Turkish Poet in UAE Prison
The UN special rapporteur on torture has been urged to investigate Lebanon over its alleged role in the mistreatment of Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, who has been imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for over a decade. Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities after he returned from Syria in December 2022, where he had criticized several governments on social media.
The UAE, with the backing of other Arab states, had pressured Lebanon to extradite al-Qaradawi under charges of "fake news" and "disturbing public security". The extradition was carried out despite the fact that al-Qaradawi was neither a citizen of the UAE nor Lebanon. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, warned that he could face torture in UAE custody.
Al-Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months without access to sunlight or charges. His lawyers claim that these conditions amount to torture and say that his human rights have been severely violated.
Lebanon's previous government was accused of complicity in al-Qaradawi's extradition, with some arguing that it did so at the behest of the UAE without fully considering the potential consequences for its own citizens. The current Lebanese government has denied involvement in the extradiction, but human rights experts say they are still liable for their predecessor's actions.
The case has sparked concerns over the suppression of dissent and freedom of expression in the Middle East. Rights groups warn that governments can use extradition as a tool to silence critics across borders, and that this practice sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
The UN special rapporteur on torture must now examine Lebanon's role in al-Qaradawi's treatment and consider taking action to hold those responsible accountable.
The UN special rapporteur on torture has been urged to investigate Lebanon over its alleged role in the mistreatment of Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, who has been imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for over a decade. Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities after he returned from Syria in December 2022, where he had criticized several governments on social media.
The UAE, with the backing of other Arab states, had pressured Lebanon to extradite al-Qaradawi under charges of "fake news" and "disturbing public security". The extradition was carried out despite the fact that al-Qaradawi was neither a citizen of the UAE nor Lebanon. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, warned that he could face torture in UAE custody.
Al-Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement for over 10 months without access to sunlight or charges. His lawyers claim that these conditions amount to torture and say that his human rights have been severely violated.
Lebanon's previous government was accused of complicity in al-Qaradawi's extradition, with some arguing that it did so at the behest of the UAE without fully considering the potential consequences for its own citizens. The current Lebanese government has denied involvement in the extradiction, but human rights experts say they are still liable for their predecessor's actions.
The case has sparked concerns over the suppression of dissent and freedom of expression in the Middle East. Rights groups warn that governments can use extradition as a tool to silence critics across borders, and that this practice sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
The UN special rapporteur on torture must now examine Lebanon's role in al-Qaradawi's treatment and consider taking action to hold those responsible accountable.
It seems like Lebanon is playing hardball with the UAE over this guy al-Qaradawi. But let me ask you, where was Lebanon all these years when he was already in UAE prison? Were they just waiting for him to come back and get extradited? 
It smells like complicity to me.
I think we need more transparency here. Who's really behind this extradition, and who benefits from it?
. I mean, how can one country just pressure another into handing over someone for prosecution based on what they said online? It sounds like a recipe for human rights disaster 
. And the fact that al-Qaradawi has been held in solitary confinement without sunlight or charges... it's like, what even is this? 
The UAE and other Arab states need to chill out and respect each other's citizens' basic human rights 
. I'm all for freedom of expression, but not at the cost of someone's dignity and life 
. The UN needs to get involved ASAP and make some noise about this 
.
I mean, come on! Another politician to mess with another country... it's like they're playing a game of "Whack-a-Mole" 
. First, Lebanon, then Saudi Arabia, next who knows? 
Can't we all just get along and let each other live our best lives... or at least not torture people for speaking out against them? 
This case is giving me major déjà vu, like I've seen this same plot before in a bad spy movie 
. Extradition, solitary confinement, the whole shebang... it's all just so... predictable 
. But hey, at least there's a UN expert who can sort this mess out and give those responsible some serious "torture-ific" consequences 
!
.
. The UN special rapporteur on torture should definitely look into this and make sure those responsible are held accountable 
.
. It's like, if you speak out, they'll just silence you or extradite you... 
. I mean, who are they to decide what's "fake news" or not? It's like, freedom of expression is a fundamental right, you know?
). I'm glad human rights groups are speaking out against this and putting pressure on the UN to investigate.
. We need to make sure our leaders are held accountable for their actions and that people have the right to express themselves without fear of reprisal 
.
, and now he's being held captive 
. The UAE might have pressured them into this, but that's no excuse 
.
. It's like they're trying to break his spirit 
. We need to hold those responsible accountable for their actions 
. It's time for some real change in the Middle East 
.
its not good when ppl can get silenced like that.
bein held in solitary confinement for months without sunlight or charges? that's just cruel 
human rights groups are doin their part to raise awareness about this, but it's sad that Lebanon's government was involved in his extradition... it feels like they're more worried about appeasin' the UAE than thinkin bout their own citizens 
. We need transparency here... UN special rapporteur needs to dig deep and make sure those responsible are held accountable 
The UAE must have some serious proof of "fake news" or something because this guy's been locked up for ages without even being charged... it's a total travesty! 
... it's like, we gotta think about the bigger picture here... our rights, freedoms, everything... it's all so connected 
and if anyone gets tortured, it's those Lebanese authorities who were like "oh let's extradite him" 
al-Qaradawi deserves justice 
i'm literally so frustrated with the whole situation 
. We need more transparency & accountability, this can't just go unchecked 
What is going on with these governments?! 
Lebanon's gotta come clean about their involvement in this whole thing and face the consequences. The UN special rapporteur needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP. 
think it's really important for the international community to take a closer look at this case - especially considering how Al-Qaradawi was treated and held in solitary confinement without access to sunlight 
. It's like they're trying to silence him before he can even finish writing his next poem 
. And now the UN is stepping in, which is awesome, I guess 
... but what can they really do? Can we expect any real consequences from this?