HRW, FairSquare urge Manchester mayoral candidates to condemn UAE abuses

Human Rights Watch and FairSquare on Friday called upon candidates in the upcoming Manchester mayoral elections to publicly commit to engaging with the Emirati government on its egregious human rights record if elected. In a joint letter to the candidates the organisatiosn noted that “Manchester City Council’s ties to Emirati officials have given the UAE’s government valuable reputational cover while it backs forces committing atrocities in Sudan,” said Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia and UAE researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Mayoral candidates should not stay silent about the UAE’s record despite the money flowing through Manchester.” The letter pointed out that Manchester City Council has a close financial relationship with senior figures in the Emirati government, in particular through its stake in […]