'Fake tolerance': Rights groups denounce UAE after death of terminally ill woman in prison

The 42-year-old woman died as a result of medical neglect and abuse in a prison in the United Arab Emirates, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported on Saturday, citing local activists.

"UAE authorities showed just how cruel they can be by denying Alia Abdel Nour the chance to spend her last days with her family," said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

"This case exemplifies why the UAE's self-dubbed 'Year of Tolerance' is just another publicity stunt aimed at whitewashing the country's deeply repressive policies."

The 42-year-old was convicted on charges under terrorism laws in 2017 in a case marred by due process violations, according to Human Rights Watch.

A month into her detention, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since mid-March, Abdel Nour's family were only given permission to visit her for 20 minute a day, according to HRW.

Despite pleas from her family in Abdel Nour's last months, requests for her compassionate release on health grounds was denied.

"Despite her deeply flawed prosecution and terminal illness, Emirati authorities chose to keep Alia Abdel Nour imprisoned and in isolation during her final days," said Page. 

Emirati security forces claimed Abdel Nour was refusing the chemotherapy doctors ordered for her two years ago, but relatives say she was forced to sign a document stating she was refusing treatment.

Abdel Nour was sentenced to 10-years in jail in the UAE over terrorism charges for allegedly financing terrorist groups and running websites which published news and information about al-Qaeda.

Her family members believe the charges are false but connected with small donations Abdel Nour made to Syrian families following the 2011 revolution.

"The cruel and senseless suffering Abdel Nour and her family have been subjected to blows the UAE's rhetoric around tolerance right out of the water," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director of HRW.

"While heart wrenching, Abdel Nour's case is not unique," Whitson said.

The UAE has been repeatedly accused by HRW and other human rights organisations of the torture and ill-treatment of detainees, and "serious violations" of due process in security-related cases.

British academic Matthew Hedges, who was jailed for months last year in the UAE after being accused of spying, alleges he was also forced to sign a confession.

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