Authoritarianism – FairSquare

Climate movement must switch on to UAE threat

In this article for Climate Home News, FairSquare director James Lynch explores the relationship between fossil fuel extraction and authoritarianism in the UAE, and the threat this poses to the planet.

Joint statement ahead of COP28 in the UAE

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue their sustained assault on human rights and freedoms, including targeting human rights activists, enacting repressive laws, and using the criminal justice system as a tool to eliminate the human rights movement. These policies have led to the closure of civic space, severe restrictions on freedom of expression, both online and offline, and the criminalisation of peaceful dissent.

New report on Dutch government, business and human rights in authoritarian states

A new Amnesty International report, produced with the assistance of FairSquare, has found that the Dutch government has incentivized Dutch companies to do business in China, Saudi Arabia and Russia without ensuring human rights due diligence responsibilities are met.

NGOs call on Boeing to urge Saudi Arabia to lift travel bans on peaceful activists

FairSquare has joined Saudi Arabian and international civil society organisations in calling on Boeing to take a principled stand on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and specifically to urge the Saudi authorities to lift the travel bans they have imposed on numerous peaceful dissidents, rights advocates and their family members.

Call on UK government to prohibit and phase out state ownership of football clubs

Systemic stability not possible with nation state involvement

FairSquare has this week written to Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging the UK government to outlaw state ownership of English football clubs.

Call on UEFA to protect competition integrity

Qatari state takeover of Manchester United would strengthen autocrats’ grip on the game

FairSquare has written to UEFA to call on European football’s governing body to outline a clear public position prohibiting a Qatari state takeover of Manchester United.

UAE must not extradite political commentator to Egypt, where he would face torture

FairSquare has joined more than 20 concerned organisations in calling on the UAE not to deport Sherif Osman to Egypt, where he would be at high risk of being subjected to torture and other human rights violations.

Key UN expert group asked to examine Qatar World Cup whistleblower’s case

Human rights organization FairSquare today asked the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to examine the case of Abdullah Ibhais, a whistle-blower on the Qatar World Cup. A formal submission shared with the Working Group today argues that Ibhais has been arbitrarily detained, on the basis of a demonstrably unfair trial.

Call on Egypt’s international partners to take action on repression of EIPR

24 Egyptian and international NGOs, including FairSquare, have today written to European and North American governments calling on them to take action on the ongoing repression of staff of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. It is two years since EIPR staff were arrested following a meeting with western diplomats.

U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) Criticized for “Dictator Games” This Week in United Arab Emirates

Human Rights Organizations Urge NBA to Condemn UAE Rulers’ Violence Against Women, Homophobia, and War in Yemen

A coalition of human rights, women’s rights, and peace organizations is calling on the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) to publicly condemn the rulers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their violence against women, homophobic laws, and brutal war in Yemen.