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The role of
the Abu Dhabi sheiks. What
they did and what they are trying to
keep quiet. Their role in
facilitating Al-Ghussein's abduction
belies the image that they maintain
of equity and due process. The
crime, however, is more heinous than
merely abducting an innocent man who
was never accused or charged with a
crime. What is more disturbing,
having perhaps made a mistake in
ignoring any due process or their
own local laws and international law
or accepted Islamic tradition, Abu
Dhabi continues to subject Al-Ghussein
and his family to inhuman treatment.
They believe themselves to be above
the law. Their arrogance and silence
are indicative of what they are
really like. It could happen to
anybody .It could happen to you. At
a moment your life could be
destroyed and your loved one could
be treated as a commodity to be
disposed of at the whim of a sheik.
This story will shock and move you.
Denial of
medical treatment. The United
Nations Special Rapporteur on
Torture intervened in the case
because Mr. Al-Ghussein, who was
dangerously ill throughout the whole
period, when it became clear that
the PA was denying him adequate
medical care during his captivity in
Gaza. His medical deterioration
began immediately after his arrest
and detention in Abu Dhabi when the
authorities initially denied him
access to his insulin and regular
cardiac medication. Also shortly
prior to his arrest Mr Al-Ghussein
was hospitalized in Abu Dhabi for
investigations into symptoms, which
later turned out to be due to
carcinoid syndrome. There was a
delay in diagnosis and treatment for
nine months, which in addition to
the withdrawal of his insulin
resulted in a clear deterioration in
his health.
In recognition of their role in the
illegal abduction of Mr Al-Ghussein,
the Abu Dhabi authorities undertook
in 2002, through the Medical
military attachÈ office of the UAE
embassy in London, to fund all his
medical costs following his release
from Gaza. This was suddenly and
abruptly withdrawn without prior
notice on the 15 June 2005 by a
telephone call from the military
attachÈ. At the same time
threatening anonymous calls were
made to the family, which were
subject to a Scotland Yard Special
Branch investigation.
Damage to the
Family. Time was stolen from
this family and their grief was
further compounded by Abu Dhabis
failure to put closure to this or
give any explanation as to what
happened. Emissaries from the Sheiks
have continually assured the family
that the wrong would be righted. The
total lack of compassion and
disregard to the law or any humanity
has been the only consistent
signature of the Abu Dhabi
Authority. Humans are not
commodities to be traded as favours
from one ruler to another.
Abu Dhabi's leading role in
facilitating in the abduction has
led to incalculable personal damages
to Al Ghussein and his family. His
forty-year business Cordoba
Development Co-Operation came to a
standstill and was destroyed
completely. All the family assets in
the UAE remain inaccessible. His
reputation continues to be
compromised without redress because
of the complete lack of public
acknowledgement by the Abu Dhabi
rulers despite the verdict of their
own Supreme Court in the original
trial, their concession to the UN,
and the fact that there has never
ever been any formal charge or merit
in any of the allegations raised. In
addition the Palestinian Commission
on Citizens Rights took this case to
the Palestinian courts where the
Attorney General admitted that Mr
Al- Ghussein was being held without
charges and in violation of the
Palestinian constitution.
The result of Abu Dhabi's lack of a
resolution after almost four years,
despite assurances that the family's
affairs would be appropriately
redressed immediately, has left the
family deeply scarred and committed
to ensuring that no one suffers the
same horrors. The detrimental
effects have also been physical,
emotional and psychological
especially after the sudden
withdrawal of Mr Al Ghussein's
medical support by the UAE Embassy.
Jaweed and his family believe in the
rights of the individual, due
process, rule of law and respect for
all peoples. The rulers in Abu Dhabi
believe they are beyond the law and
unaccountable. Abu Dhabi's actions
and co-operation in Al Ghussein's
abduction broke their own local
laws, Sharia laws as well as
international laws. Their continual
refusal to acknowledge their heinous
role raises the question whether
they are a responsible nation able
to uphold the rule of law. This
could happen to you.
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