UN experts urge Lebanon not to hand over Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi to the UAE
The experts* said in a press release: “We are deeply concerned that the vague and wide-ranging accusations against Mr. Al-Qaradawi of inciting to destabilize security in the United Arab Emirates, spreading fake news, and insulting the judiciary in Egypt, may be in retaliation for his legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression.” They ruled out that Al-Qaradawi would receive a fair trial.
They called on the Lebanese authorities to reconsider Al-Qaradawi’s case and refuse to extradite him, in line with Lebanon’s obligations under international law to prevent torture and enforced disappearance and to support the basic rights of all people on its soil. Independent UN experts expressed concern about what appears to be an acceleration of the handover process, raising questions about following due procedures.
Al-Qaradawi was arrested on the twenty-eighth of December 2024, according to his lawyer, and on the seventh of this month the Lebanese Council of Ministers took the decision to extradite him.
Experts pointed out that Al-Qaradawi’s case symbolizes a disturbing approach “Lalqan al-Abir Lal Dul” Activists, journalists, and human rights defenders exiled by their countries can prosecute them in absentia, put them on terrorist lists, request the issuance of international arrest warrants against them, and seek their extradition.
They said such methods of aggressive intimidation and harassment are an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and silence dissidents and critical voices in exile.
The experts are: Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Gabriela Citrone (Chair-Rapporteur), Grazyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Awa Balde, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohamed Al-Obaidi, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
*It is noteworthy that special rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which is an intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. Rapporteurs and experts are tasked with studying human rights situations and submitting reports on them to the Human Rights Council. It should be noted that this position is honorary, and these experts are not considered employees of the United Nations and do not receive compensation for their work.
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