UK asked to obtain assurances from UAE overright to protest at COP28. Human-rights activists have reacted with skepticism to the pledge by the oil-rich Gulf state that it will allow climate demonstrations.

Pressure is mounting on the UK government to obtain assurances from the United Arab Emirates that Britons who stage protests in Dubai around the COP28 UN climate summit this autumn will not face arrest.

British human-rights barristers wrote to foreign secretary James Cleverly this week. They demanded he seek an undertaking from the Emirati authorities. Affirming the rights and safety of UK citizens traveling to the UAE to engage in peaceful demonstrations.

Campaigners have warned the Gulf state’s restrictions on freedom of expression could curb the ability of activists to stage meaningful protests at the summit and leave them at risk of detention.

UK asked to obtain assurances from UAE overright to protest at COP28

The UAE pledged in a joint statement with the UN this month that it would make “space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard”. 

But human rights groups reacted with skepticism. According to Amnesty International, it will be “interesting to see whether the UAE’s promise is anything more than a hollow commitment”. And it is “unclear” what the authorities would allow.

The most recent COP summit was held in Egypt. It was preceded by a crackdown on demonstrators by security authorities. The campaigners claimed that the demonstration space was insufficient.

In a letter to Cleverly, UK barristers Ben Keith and Rhys Davies wrote for a human-rights activist. The activist wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. He said “The accommodations apparently offered by the Emirati regime are profoundly flimsy and represent no sensible guarantee to either the right to protest in general or the safety of any protesters who may choose to do so.”

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