Autocratic UAE, host of Cop28 climate talks, allows limited protests and critics in
- Activists allowed into the United Arab Emirates, which bans political parties and labour unions, can protest inside the summit under strict guidelines
- While some human rights researchers from banned organisations have been let in, some say UAE is using Cop28 to burnish its image and does not really respect rights
Participants at the United Nations’ Cop28 climate talks Sunday found themselves greeted by the rarest sights in the United Arab Emirates – public protests.
From the largest demonstration seen in the UAE since the start of the raging Israel-Gaza war to environmental issues, activists allowed into the UAE can protest under strict guidelines in this autocratic nation inside the summit.
Meanwhile, human rights researchers from organisations long banned by the country also have been let in, providing them some the opportunity for the first time in about a decade to offer criticism, although many acknowledge it may see them never allowed back in the country.
“One of our major issues with Cop28 is the fact that the UAE government is using this to burnish its image internationally and the fact that limited protests are allowed … is a good thing,” said Joey Shea, on her first trip to the Emirates as a researcher focused on the country at Human Rights Watch.
“But at the end of the day, it helps to create this very false image that the UAE does have respect for rights when in fact it does not.”
The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms led by Abu Dhabi’s ruler, bans political parties and labour unions. All power rests in each emirate’s hereditary ruler. Broad laws tightly restrict speech and nearly all major local media are either state-owned or state-affiliated outlets.