News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchAbdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian poet and political activist, was detained in Lebanon in late December 2024 and subsequently deported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January 2025. His case has sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations due to the potential risks he faces in the UAE, including enforced disappearance, torture, and denial of due process.
Background on Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
Al-Qaradawi, born on September 18, 1970, is the son of the late Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Islamic scholar associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. He is a dual Egyptian-Turkish citizen and has been an outspoken critic of authoritarian regimes in the Arab world, including those in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. His poetry often addresses political and social issues, making him a prominent figure in cultural and activist circles. He was also a key supporter of the 2011 Egyptian revolution and helped establish the Egyptian Movement for Change (Kefaya), which opposed the Mubarak regime58.
In 2017, Al-Qaradawi was convicted in absentia by an Egyptian military court on charges of "opposing the state" after criticizing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's government. Since then, he has lived in Turkey with his family58.
Arrest and Extradition
Al-Qaradawi was arrested by Lebanese authorities on December 28, 2024, at the Masnaa border crossing following his return from Syria. His detention was based on an Interpol red notice issued by the UAE for alleged acts of incitement against public security. The UAE requested his extradition after he posted a video during his visit to Damascus celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and criticizing regional governments such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE27.
Despite protests from human rights organizations like Amnesty International and warnings from UN experts about risks to his safety, Lebanon approved his extradition to the UAE on January 8, 2025. The Lebanese government justified its decision based on reciprocity agreements with the UAE and assurances that Al-Qaradawi would be treated according to international legal standards136.
Human Rights Concerns
Since his deportation to Abu Dhabi, there has been no information about Al-Qaradawi's whereabouts or legal status. His family and legal representatives have been unable to contact him, raising fears of enforced disappearance. Human rights organizations have expressed grave concerns about his safety, citing the UAE's history of suppressing dissent through arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trials36.
The case highlights broader issues regarding Lebanon's compliance with international human rights obligations and its vulnerability to external pressures from powerful regional allies like Egypt and the UAE. It also underscores concerns about freedom of expression in authoritarian regimes where even poets face severe repercussions for their work67.
Citations:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/7/lebanon-approves-extradition-of-egyptian-activist-al-qaradawi-to-uaehttps://www.egyptindependent.com/why-did-lebanon-decide-to-deport-qaradawis-son-to-the-uae/https://emiratesleaks.com/a-month-since-the-uae-detained-abdul-rahman-al-qaradawi-no-updates-on-his-whereabouts/?lang=enhttps://egyptindependent.com/why-did-lebanon-decide-to-deport-qaradawis-son-to-the-uae/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Rahman_Yusufhttps://globalvoices.org/2025/01/11/pressure-vs-principles-lebanons-extradition-of-abdel-rahman-al-qaradawi-to-uae-sparks-outrage/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1442482/despite-protests-lebanese-government-decides-to-extradite-abdul-rahman-yusuf.htmlhttps://www.middleeasteye.net/news/who-abdul-rahman-yusuf-al-qaradawi
