February 19, 2016 – This week, Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan E. Méndez and other United Nations Human Rights experts urged the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to respect the fundamental rights of several foreign nationals who have been arbitrarily detained for a year and a half, condemned their trial based on forced confessions, and called for their immediate and unconditional release. “We have received credible information according to which the detainees were tortured and forced to sign confessions” the Special Rapporteur stated. “The suspects have been also allegedly held incommunicado in secret detention locations and in solitary confinement for prolonged periods of time. This is very troubling as it reinforces the risks of being tortured or ill-treated.” For more information, please visit the official website of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights here.