London - ImpACT International for Human Rights Policies said that the video published by the Public Prosecution in the UAE today, clarifying the penalty for crime of making illegal content available and refraining from removing it, is intimidation and an attempt to silence people. The decision violates the right to freedom of expression.

The London-based think tank stated that it had followed up with grave concern what the Public Prosecution in the UAE published, and it stated, “According to Article 53 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 for combating rumours and E-Crimes, shall be fined a monetary penalty of no less than AED 300,000 (£66,500) ($82,000) and no more than AED 10 million (£2.2 million) ($2.7 million) for whoever uses an online website or an electronic account to commit legal violations.”

The UAE's experience with these types of laws indicates that the goal is to silence critics and opponents of their regime. It represents a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression stipulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

ImpACT pointed out that the rules are both too broad and vague using nebulous phrases about perpetrating legal violations and spreading rumours, which raises fears that it is only a legal cover to silence, dissent, and restrict freedom of speech and opinion.

ImpACT stressed that the UAE's experience with these types of laws indicates that the goal is to silence critics and opponents of their regime. It represents a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression stipulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other human rights charters.

ImpACT urged the UAE to reverse these measures and stop all practices that threaten these fundamental freedoms.

ImpACT International called on Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, to take action and compel the UAE to repeal all laws that contradict human rights charters, and to guarantee the right of everyone to express their opinions and positions freely without fear or threat.

ImpACT stressed that the international community's silence towards the violations of some countries for political accounts and personal interests encourages the responsible authorities in these countries to continue committing violations without the perpetrators of such human breaches fearing that they will be held accountable. Much more must be done to make sure that freedom of speech is protected and enhanced.