Lebanon Faces International Backlash for Torture Allegations Against Egyptian-Turkish Poet
The United Nations has been urged to investigate Lebanon over allegations of torture against Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, who has been held in solitary confinement for over a year on charges of "fake news" and "disturbing public security."
Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities after returning from Syria, where he had posted a video criticizing the Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi governments. He was extradited to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under an arrest warrant issued by the UAE's Interior Ministers Council, despite not being a citizen of either country.
Human rights groups have expressed grave concerns over Qaradawi's detention, warning that he could face torture if sent to the UAE. Amnesty International and other organizations had protested his extradition, with many fearing for his safety.
Lebanon dismissed these concerns initially, stating that the UAE would respect Qaradawi's human rights. However, his lawyers claim that this promise was false. Al-Qaradawi has been held in conditions amounting to torture, with no access to sunlight, a lawyer said.
"The brazenness of his arrest... has created a chilling precedent for freedom of expression in the Middle East," said Rodney Dixon, Qaradawi's international legal counsel. "Governments may change, but obligations do not. Lebanon was responsible for sending him there, now it must do everything possible to bring him back."
UN special rapporteurs have expressed concern over Qaradawi's detention, stating that his rights have been violated. His family has also spoken out, expressing their fears for his safety and calling for his release.
The case highlights the dangers of governments targeting critics abroad, with Qaradawi's detention creating a dangerous precedent in the region. "If governments can hunt down their critics across borders and imprison them, then no one is safe," Dixon said.
The United Nations has been urged to investigate Lebanon over allegations of torture against Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, who has been held in solitary confinement for over a year on charges of "fake news" and "disturbing public security."
Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities after returning from Syria, where he had posted a video criticizing the Emirati, Egyptian, and Saudi governments. He was extradited to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under an arrest warrant issued by the UAE's Interior Ministers Council, despite not being a citizen of either country.
Human rights groups have expressed grave concerns over Qaradawi's detention, warning that he could face torture if sent to the UAE. Amnesty International and other organizations had protested his extradition, with many fearing for his safety.
Lebanon dismissed these concerns initially, stating that the UAE would respect Qaradawi's human rights. However, his lawyers claim that this promise was false. Al-Qaradawi has been held in conditions amounting to torture, with no access to sunlight, a lawyer said.
"The brazenness of his arrest... has created a chilling precedent for freedom of expression in the Middle East," said Rodney Dixon, Qaradawi's international legal counsel. "Governments may change, but obligations do not. Lebanon was responsible for sending him there, now it must do everything possible to bring him back."
UN special rapporteurs have expressed concern over Qaradawi's detention, stating that his rights have been violated. His family has also spoken out, expressing their fears for his safety and calling for his release.
The case highlights the dangers of governments targeting critics abroad, with Qaradawi's detention creating a dangerous precedent in the region. "If governments can hunt down their critics across borders and imprison them, then no one is safe," Dixon said.