Issa Muadad Abdullah Al-Sirri Al-Muhairi, born in 1962, is an educational and family expert in the UAE. He holds a BA in Islamic and Arabic Studies from the UAE University. He held several key positions including:
- Former director of the General Education Department at the Ministry of Education
- Head of the Emirates Teachers Association
- A teacher, school administration supervisor and assistant director
- A school principal, then a school administration mentor and director
- A director of guidance administration
His apprehension and trial
On July 17, 2012, the UAE security forces arrested Al-Sirri at a checkpoint while traveling to Oman. Such arrest is a part of the fierce campaign launched by State Security against advocates of reform. Al-Sirri remained subjected to enforced disappearance for eight months in an unknown place until he appeared before court as a member of the “UAE 94” case. During detention, he was subjected to torture and degrading treatment, as he was placed in solitary confinement and was prevented from visiting and seeing his lawyer.
On July 2, 2013, the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi sentenced Al-Sirri to 10 years imprisonment with additional 3 years of probation. He was brought before court as a member of the “UAE 94” group.
His trial witnessed a number of legal violations, including the failure to investigate into the enforced disappearance he was exposed to, not considering his statements of being subjected to torture, which comes in violation of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which the UAE acceded to in 2012. Plus, he was denied his right to legal representation, along with issuing the final ruling amid the absence of any material evidence of the charges brought against him.
In Al-Razeen prison, where Al-Sirri serves his sentence, his health worsened as he is constantly subjected to various forms of torture and degrading treatment. In the trial, signs of torture and weight loss were clear; his eyes are crossed as he was touching the chair to sit as if he cannot recognize it. He is in a critical situation that needs urgent medical treatment. However, the authorities refused as they practice intimidation against prisoners of conscience to devastate their psyches. That contradicts the international laws and conventions in which the detainee’s rights and dignity should be respected and recognized.
