UN experts demand 'concrete information' on Sheikha Latifa's welfare

The United Nations has renewed calls for the United Arab Emirates to provide "concrete information" about the safety of Sheikha Latifa, the daughter of Dubai's ruler who was reportedly abducted while attempting to flee the country in 2018.

In February, the UN's Human Rights Office asked for evidence about the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum after the BBC broadcast a video in which the princess claimed she was being held captive and feared for her life.

Since then, there has been no news from the princess.

"We are alarmed that, following the public release in February of footage in which Sheikha Latifa reported being deprived of her liberty against her will, and the subsequent official request for further information on her situation, no concrete information has been provided by the authorities," a group of independent human rights experts said in joint statement.

"The statement issued by the Emirates authorities' merely indicating that she was being 'cared for at home’ is not sufficient at this stage," they went on to add.

Earlier this month, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke to the UAE's diplomatic mission in Geneva in a bid to obtain proof of life.

"We are very concerned," spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva at the time.

"We haven't got any proof of life and we would like one, and one that is clear, compelling evidence that she is alive.

"Our first concern, of course. is to be sure of that: that she is still alive."

In February, the world heard from Sheikha Latifa after she appealed to UK police to reopen an investigation into the kidnap of her older sister from Cambridge more than 20 years ago.

In a handwritten letter passed to friends, the princess urged Cambridgeshire police to investigate the disappearance of Princess Shamsa, whom she claims was captured on the orders of their father.

"All I ask of you is to please give attention on her case because it could get her freedom... your help and attention on her case could free her," she wrote, according to BBC News which had seen the letter.

It was written in 2019, while held in solitary confinement in a Dubai villa.