UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor expressed concern over the continued arrest of the human rights defender Mohamed al-Mansoori in UAE jails.

Appalled that Mohamed al-Mansoori remains imprisoned after his sentence ended July 16 on a conviction related to his human rights work, she wrote in a tweet.

The expert also called for his immediate release.

Al-Mansouri, the former head of the UAE Jurists Association, was arrested on 16 July 2012 after signing a petition calling for democratic reforms. He was subsequently tried alongside 93 other lawyers, activists and academics known collectively as the UAE 94. 

The main evidence used against Al-Mansouri was a “confession” obtained through torture. Consequently, he was sentenced to 11 years and three months for “plotting to overthrow the government”.