[wvns] HRW slams UAE for Prince acquittal

HRW slams UAE for Prince acquittal
Sunday, 24 January 2010
PressTV
http://www.rebelnews.org/opinion/middle-east/174787-hrw-slams-uae-for-prince-acquittal


Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan was acquitted of torturing an Afghan trader in the United Arab Emirates.
Human Rights watch says United Arab Emirates has "sullied" its reputation over the acquittal of an Abu Dhabi prince in torturing an Afghan citizen last year.

The body denounced a UAE court decision to clear Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the half brother of Abu Dhabi's president, of torture charges.

"If the UAE government really wants to stop torture and to restore its sullied reputation, it has much to do, especially in light of Sheikh Issa's acquittal," said Joe Stork, Deputy Director of HRW Middle East division.

Allegations against the prince emerged after US network ABC aired a video in April that appears to show him torturing an Afghan grain dealer.

The victim needed months of hospital care following the torture, during which he was beaten with whips, electric cattle prods, and a wooden plank with protruding nails.

The court however acquitted Sheikh Issa after ruling that he had been drugged and so was "unaware of his actions."

"The government needs to set in motion significant institutional reforms and to make certain that human rights violations are punished," Stork said in a statement released at a Dubai news conference.

HRW called on the UAE to take steps to improve human rights conditions, including establishing "an independent body with authority to investigate abuse and torture by security personnel, others in positions of authority, and private citizens.

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