Repression in the UAE: The case of Matthew Hedges
6 years, 4 months ago

Repression in the UAE: The case of Matthew Hedges

Al Jazeera  

The failure of the West to take a firm stand on repression in the UAE has precipitated Hedges’ detention. Although the revelation of Hedges’ arrest has provoked reactions of shock and alarm among the British academic community, for seasoned watchers of UAE’s political trajectory, it was a tragic inevitability. It is within this repressive climate that Matthew Hedges embarked on researching UAE’s involvement in Yemen, among other sensitive issues, which led to his unfortunate detention. Sanctioning the UAE Although the drivers of the UAE’s turn towards escalated repression were born within the country’s stifling political system, the international community’s reluctance to call out the UAE for its human rights abuses indirectly contributed to the arrest of Hedges. The enabling attitude of Western democracies towards the UAE’s repression caused Emirati officials to believe that arresting Hedges would not trigger a major international backlash.

Political British Arab Officials Britain Uae Tunisia Emirati Hedges Muslim Brotherhood Matthew Hedges  political  case  hedges  matthew  united  rights  repression  uaes  officials  emirati  british  arab  uae

History of this topic

He’s a wanted man accused of overseeing torture of Britons – now Emirati general is heading to UK
4 months, 2 weeks ago

He’s a wanted man accused of overseeing torture of Britons – now Emirati general is heading to UK

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Matthew Hedges, Ali Issa Ahmad and barrister Rodney Dixon stand …

Foreign Office apologises to academic for failing to spot torture signs
1 year, 6 months ago

Foreign Office apologises to academic for failing to spot torture signs

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He continued: “The FCDO’s acknowledgement …

US disputes UAE’s explanation of Khashoggi lawyer arrest
2 years, 8 months ago

US disputes UAE’s explanation of Khashoggi lawyer arrest

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States on Monday said it had not sought the arrest of the former lawyer of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, contradicting the United Arab Emirates’ official explanation for the American citizen’s detention. The UAE portrayed Ghafoor’s arrest as a coordinated move with the U.S. to “combat transnational crimes,” saying American authorities had requested …

UK academic Matthew Hedges seeks damages from UAE officials
3 years, 10 months ago

UK academic Matthew Hedges seeks damages from UAE officials

Al Jazeera  

Academic jailed for spying by UAE in 2018 launches court proceedings against four senior Emirati officials involved in his case. A British academic who was jailed on espionage charges by the United Arab Emirates has launched civil proceedings in a UK court against four senior Emirati officials, according to his lawyers. On Wednesday, a statement by Carter-Ruck Solicitors said Hedges …

Britain, US and Turkey asked to arrest UAE officials over ‘war crimes’ in Yemen
5 years, 1 month ago

Britain, US and Turkey asked to arrest UAE officials over ‘war crimes’ in Yemen

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A British law firm filed …

Matthew Hedges: British academic jailed by UAE for ‘spying’ says government did not do enough to help him
5 years, 10 months ago

Matthew Hedges: British academic jailed by UAE for ‘spying’ says government did not do enough to help him

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It is unacceptable the British government now pretend nothing happened.” Mr Hedges’ lawyer, Rodney …

A year after his unjust detainment in the UAE, Matthew Hedges’ fight for academic freedom is not over
5 years, 10 months ago

A year after his unjust detainment in the UAE, Matthew Hedges’ fight for academic freedom is not over

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One year …

Durham academic Matthew Hedges detained in Dubai on GMB on prison ordeal
6 years, 3 months ago

Durham academic Matthew Hedges detained in Dubai on GMB on prison ordeal

Daily Mail  

Freed British academic Matthew Hedges has revealed his horror of seeing a torture victim's footprints on the wall of his Dubai jail cell in his first TV interview since his release. In his first UK TV interview on Good Morning Britain, Matthew Hedges and his wife Daniela Tejada said he wasn't physically tortured but solitary confinement felt like it Matthew …

Matthew Hedges: UAE coerced me to give false confession
6 years, 3 months ago

Matthew Hedges: UAE coerced me to give false confession

Al Jazeera  

British academic says he was subjected to psychological torture and forced to take medicines during months of detention. British academic Matthew Hedges has accused investigators from the United Arab Emirates of subjecting him to psychological torture and forcing him to give a false confession that he is an agent of the British spy agency, MI6. Following diplomatic pressure from the …

Matthew Hedges: UAE sentences British academic to life in jail on spying charge
6 years, 3 months ago

Matthew Hedges: UAE sentences British academic to life in jail on spying charge

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The British government must take a stand now for Matthew, one of their citizens.” …

British scholar Matthew Hedges arrives in London after UAE pardon
6 years, 3 months ago

British scholar Matthew Hedges arrives in London after UAE pardon

Al Jazeera  

Initially sentenced to life in prison for spying, Matthew Hedges was released on Monday after receiving pardon from UAE. “He was a part-time PhD researcher, a part-time businessman, but he was a 100 percent full-time secret service operative,” said Jaber al-Lamki, an official with the UAE’s National Media Council. Daniela Tejada, Hedges’ wife, said on Twitter that the pardon was …

UAE releases British scholar Matthew Hedges after pardon
6 years, 3 months ago

UAE releases British scholar Matthew Hedges after pardon

Al Jazeera  

Hedges, who had been sentenced to life in prison, was released on Monday after receiving a presidential pardon. Daniela Tejada, Hedges’ wife, said on Twitter that the pardon was the “best news we could’ve received”. “I can’t wait to have him back” and added: “In my heart, I know that he isn’t a spy.” International pressure The UAE had come …

UAE releases British scholar Matthew Hedges after pardon
6 years, 3 months ago

UAE releases British scholar Matthew Hedges after pardon

Al Jazeera  

Hedges, who had been sentenced to life in prison, was released on Monday after receiving a presidential pardon. Daniela Tejada, Hedges’ wife, said on Twitter that the pardon was the “best news we could’ve received”. “I can’t wait to have him back” and added: “In my heart, I know that he isn’t a spy.” International pressure The UAE had come …

Matthew Hedges: UAE considering clemency for British academic jailed for life on spying charges
6 years, 4 months ago

Matthew Hedges: UAE considering clemency for British academic jailed for life on spying charges

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sulaiman Almazroui, the UAE’s ambassador in London, said in …

Matthew Hedges' case should prompt the west to reconsider who its allies are
6 years, 4 months ago

Matthew Hedges' case should prompt the west to reconsider who its allies are

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Even if …

Matthew Hedges: Wife of British 'spy' now says UK is doing all it can to support him
6 years, 4 months ago

Matthew Hedges: Wife of British 'spy' now says UK is doing all it can to support him

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: …

Why did the UAE feel confident enough to sentence Matthew Hedges to life in prison? Because of the chaos round Brexit
6 years, 4 months ago

Why did the UAE feel confident enough to sentence Matthew Hedges to life in prison? Because of the chaos round Brexit

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hedges' wife Daniela …

Matthew Hedges: Wife of British academic jailed for life on spying charges says UK is putting relations with UAE above his freedom
6 years, 4 months ago

Matthew Hedges: Wife of British academic jailed for life on spying charges says UK is putting relations with UAE above his freedom

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Hunt has threatened the UAE with "serious diplomatic …

UAE sentences British academic to life in prison for spying
6 years, 4 months ago

UAE sentences British academic to life in prison for spying

Associated Press  

LONDON — A British academic was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates on charges that he was spying for the U.K. — a verdict that Britain described as shocking as it urged its Mideast ally to reconsider the decision. The Federal Appeals Court of Abu Dhabi said Hedges was found guilty of “spying on …

Matthew Hedges: British academic charged with spying in UAE is released on bail
6 years, 4 months ago

Matthew Hedges: British academic charged with spying in UAE is released on bail

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Matthew Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University, …

Matthew Hedges: British PhD student charged with spying in the United Arab Emirates
6 years, 5 months ago

Matthew Hedges: British PhD student charged with spying in the United Arab Emirates

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And now the 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University, …

UAE holds British man in solitary confinement for five months on ‘spying’ charge
6 years, 5 months ago

UAE holds British man in solitary confinement for five months on ‘spying’ charge

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. His rights are violated on …

Man was who tortured in Dubai jail campaigns for UK to end extradition deal with UAE
7 years, 4 months ago

Man was who tortured in Dubai jail campaigns for UK to end extradition deal with UAE

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After this Mr Haigh said he decided to leave …

I was jailed in Dubai like Jamie Harron – it's worse than you could possibly imagine
7 years, 4 months ago

I was jailed in Dubai like Jamie Harron – it's worse than you could possibly imagine

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Aside from Harron’s case, I have …

Dubai: British tourist faces jail 'for accidentally touching man's hip' in bar
7 years, 5 months ago

Dubai: British tourist faces jail 'for accidentally touching man's hip' in bar

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Scot is facing a …

British tourists 'tortured' in Dubai
12 years, 1 month ago

British tourists 'tortured' in Dubai

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The torture allegedly took place after the men were …

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