Timeline of Key Events in the “UAE 84” Trial
As Abu Dhabi prepares to rule on appeals, human rights groups demand accountability for the prisoners of conscience subjected to enforced disappearance and unfair trials.
Watan-Dozens of detainees in the “UAE 84” case have been subjected to enforced disappearance since July 2024, in a blatant violation of international standards and basic human rights principles.
As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its verdict, human rights organizations are calling for justice and accountability for the blatant violations faced by prisoners of conscience in the UAE’s prisons.
Key Developments in the “UAE 84” Trial
Here is a timeline of key events in the trial of the “UAE 84” detainees:
January 6, 2024: The Public Prosecutor decides to refer 84 Emiratis, including more than 60 prisoners of conscience whose sentences had ended in Abu Dhabi prisons, to the State Security Court.
January 8, 2024: The “UAE Detainees Advocacy Center” confirms that Abu Dhabi was forced to disclose the “UAE 84” case due to pressure from human rights organizations.
January 11, 2024: Abu Dhabi holds a five-hour trial session for members of “UAE 84”, adding the charge of “money laundering” and postponing the next session to February 7 and 8, 2024.
January 20, 2024: UN experts express grave concern that the new charges in the “UAE 84” case violate the international prohibition on double jeopardy and retroactive criminal law.
February 5, 2024: Amnesty International states that Abu Dhabi “mocked justice” through the trial of “UAE 84”.
February 8, 2024: The second session of the “UAE 84” trial is held, with defendants threatening a hunger strike.
February 18, 2024: Abu Dhabi decides to postpone the case of “UAE 84” to March 7 to “listen to the defense arguments of the 84 defendants”.
March 7, 2024: The seventh session of the “UAE 84” trial is held, with new developments, such as calling detainees by numbers instead of their names for the first time.
March 12, 2024: The UN sends a message to Abu Dhabi criticizing the trial of “UAE 84” and expressing grave concern over “violations related to the use of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment to extract forced confessions”.
March 14, 2024: Abu Dhabi mistreats detainees in the “UAE 84” case during the eighth trial session and announces that the case will be postponed from March 21 to April 18.
March 25, 2024: UN rapporteur Ben Soul confirms that the trial of “UAE 84″ lacks an independent judiciary and calls for Abu Dhabi to drop terrorism charges against them.
April 25, 2024: The ninth session of the “UAE 84” case is held, lasting four hours, with the defendants appearing in frail conditions.
May 10, 2024: The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals sets July 10, 2024, as the date for delivering the verdict in the “UAE 84” case.
Early July 2024: Regional and international human rights organizations urge Abu Dhabi to allow observers to attend the verdict session in the “UAE 84” case and to release the defendants, while Abu Dhabi conducts a large media smear campaign against the detainees.
July 10, 2024: Abu Dhabi issues the worst political judicial ruling in its history, sentencing 43 prisoners of conscience to life imprisonment, and others to sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years, in the “UAE 84” case, amidst international and human rights outrage.
July 11, 2024: The Associated Press confirms that Abu Dhabi has not presented any evidence condemning the defendants in the “UAE 84” case.
March 1, 2025: Abu Dhabi sets March 4, 2025, as the date for ruling on the appeals submitted by members of the “UAE 84” case, who have been detained in Abu Dhabi’s prisons for several years.
