Keir Starmer Pressed to Advocate for Brits Detained in UAE During Gulf Trip
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to champion the cause of British nationals imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates as he embarks on a diplomatic visit to the Gulf region this week. Campaigners, alongside political figures such as the Shadow Foreign Secretary and the Liberal Democrats, are urging the prime minister to address the arrests of dozens of Brits in the UAE, which have escalated amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Calls for Action and Allegations of Neglect
As many as 70 UK citizens have been detained and could potentially face up to ten years in prison for filming Iranian attacks on the Gulf nation. Advocates assert that these individuals are receiving inadequate support from the British embassy, with reports indicating that some detainees are being deprived of basic necessities like sleep, food, and medical care.
Sir Keir has arrived in the Gulf to engage with regional heads of state and UK military personnel, with plans to return by Friday. Dame Priti Patel, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, has publicly called on the prime minister to push for the release of the detained Brits. She emphasized to Metro that Starmer must demonstrate strength and ensure that UAE partners do not unjustly imprison British citizens for merely documenting their surroundings.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
David Haigh, a human rights lawyer representing nine of the arrested Brits, stressed that the Labour leader needs to convey that the mistreatment of British nationals abroad is unacceptable. Haigh warned that failure to address this issue could be perceived as weakness by Arab leaders, who value assertiveness. He further criticized the government for prioritizing its political and security relationship with the UAE over the welfare of detainees, labeling the embassy's efforts as "absolutely useless."
Haigh detailed that two of his clients remain in squalid prison conditions, while others are entangled in legal proceedings and unable to leave the country. UAE laws strictly prohibit publishing or sharing material that could disrupt public security, with the British embassy previously cautioning expatriates against photographing or disseminating images of Iranian missile incidents. Even passively receiving such images is considered illegal under stringent regulations, carrying penalties of up to ten years in prison or fines reaching £200,000.
Political and Public Outcry
Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, highlighted the case of a constituent detained in the UAE for allegedly violating cybercrime laws. Cooper expressed deep concern over the lack of family contact, legal access, and consular visits, describing the authorities' response as disproportionate and causing significant distress to the family.
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained In Dubai, echoed these concerns, urging Starmer to demand the release of those held under cybercrime laws, secure proper consular access, and lift travel bans imposed for minor matters. Stirling warned that neglecting these issues signals that British nationals' safety and rights are secondary to diplomatic convenience.
Additional cases include a 60-year-old British tourist charged alongside 20 others after footage of Iranian attacks was discovered on their phones, facing two years in jail and a $40,000 fine despite deleting the content. Another detainee is a London-based air steward for FlyDubai, arrested for taking a picture of damage near Dubai airport and sharing it with colleagues.
Broader Political Reactions
Iain Duncan Smith, former Conservative Party leader, criticized the UAE's actions, urging Starmer to raise the issue and condemning the UK's perceived subservience to the Gulf state. Fabian Hamilton, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, emphasized the importance of prioritizing UK nationals' security and called for continued advocacy for their release. John McDonnell, former Shadow Chancellor, noted that Starmer's visit presents a crucial opportunity to address concerns over detention and mistreatment, warning of prolonged legal delays.
Prior to the Iran war, over 240,000 Britons resided in the UAE. The Emirati embassy in London has reiterated warnings against photographing or sharing images from incident sites, citing risks of public panic and misinformation. The Foreign Office has been approached for comment on these developments.
