HRW accuses UAE of rights violation

In its World Report 2012, unveiled at a conference in Dubai on Wednesday, the New York-based rights group drew attention to a campaign of persecution by UAE authorities against citizens who have called for political reform in the monarchy.

The event, however, was disrupted by men who claimed to be UAE officials and said the organizers had failed to get proper authorization from the government.

"We've seen people being detained, charged and imprisoned for expressing their opinions," said Samer Muscati, an HRW researcher.

"So, the UAE has gone against the tide, unfortunately, of the Arab Spring," he added, referring to the wave of popular revolutions and uprisings sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa since early last year.

In an attempt to quell popular dissent last year, the UAE sentenced at least five local activists to prison for signing an online petition demanding constitutional and parliamentary reforms and a more equitable distribution of the country's oil wealth. The government also moved to revoke the citizenship of another seven UAE nationals for criticizing the government policies.

Human rights activists say they will seek explanation for the incidents from UAE Prime Minister and Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.