UAE: leaked recording shows officials intent on limiting public debate at COP28. The Center for Climate Reporting obtained audio in which UAE officials are heard discussing how to restrict public discussion of climate change and human rights.

Dozens of unfairly-jailed civil society activists languish behind bars, while draconian laws allow for the arrest of almost anyone expressing dissent.

‘The UAE’s priority at COP28 appears to be greenwashing its fossil fuel expansion plans and massaging its own reputation’ – Marta Schaaf

UAE: leaked recording shows officials intent on limiting public debate at COP28

Following the Centre for Climate Reporting organisation obtaining a recording of a COP28 strategy meeting in which UAE officials are heard discussing how to restrict public discussion of climate change and human rights issues at the international gathering in Dubai later this year, Marta Schaaf, Amnesty International’s Director of Climate, Economic and Social Justice, and Corporate Accountability, said:

“The UAE’s priority at COP28 appears to be greenwashing its fossil fuel expansion plans and massaging its own reputation by seeking to avoid discussion of its dismal human rights record and continuing abuses.

“The UAE has pledged to hold an inclusive COP, but this ambition will fall flat if it limits public debate to carefully-scripted talking points.

“It is hard to imagine an inclusive COP when the UAE’s draconian and ill-defined laws allow for the arrest of almost anyone expressing dissent, the suppression and continued detention of critics and political opponents, and the criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

“To avert a full-scale climate catastrophe, it is vital that this COP agrees to bring the fossil fuel era to a swift and just end.”

Read more at amnesty.org.uk

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