The Human Rights Committee of Sweden’s Scientific and Literary Academies has, in a letter to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, expressed concern over the situation of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor and appealed for his immediate release.
Ahmed Mansoor, an engineer and internationally respected human rights defender, has been imprisoned since 2017 for his peaceful expression and activities. He was sentenced to ten years in 2018 after proceedings that failed to meet international fair-trial standards. Following a mass trial, he was once again convicted in 2024 of allegedly supporting a so-called “terrorist organization”.
Mansoor has testified that he was held incommunicado for months and subjected to torture. The Committee appeals for his prompt and unconditional release, and for his detention conditions to comply with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
The letter:
Stockholm 8 December 2025
Your Highness,
We, the Human Rights Committee of Sweden’s Scientific and Literary Academies respectfully request your assistance regarding the urgent situation of Emirati engineer and human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, who has been imprisoned since 2017 for his peaceful expression and activities.
Mr. Mansoor, an internationally respected human rights defender, was arrested in March 2017 and convicted in 2018 after proceedings that failed to meet international fair- trial standards. He received a 10-year sentence to prison. In late 2023, he was again charged, as part of a mass trial of more than 80 Emiratis, many imprisoned for years, only for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights. In mid-2024 Mr. Mansoor was convicted, of allegedly supporting a so called “terrorist organization” though human rights organizations report that the accusations stem from the defendants’ involvement in a peaceful UAE human rights advocacy group.
Mr. Mansoor´s conviction was upheld in March 2025, on procedural grounds.
Numerous respected human rights organizations have documented serious violations in the mass trial, including failure to disclose the precise charges, restricted access by lawyers to their clients’ case files, closed hearings, and mistreatment of detainees. Mr. Mansoor testified that he was held incommunicado for months and subjected to torture. Using terrorism-related charges against individuals for their peaceful human rights advocacy is a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Given that Mr. Mansoor is serving long sentences for peacefully exercising internationally protected human rights, we urge You to use your good offices to secure his prompt and unconditional release from prison. In the meantime, we ask that his detention conditions comply with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, including regular family visits, adequate medical care, and end to solitary confinement.
Thank you in advance, Your Highness, for your attention to this matter of utmost importance.
Respectfully yours,
Stefan Svallfors
Professor, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of Sweden’s Scientific and
Literary Academies
The Human Rights Committee of Sweden’s Scientific and Literary Academies includes members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, the Swedish Academy and the Young Academy of Sweden.
