Refugees International, an independent human rights organization that advocates for displaced people, called on the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Friday to end its partnership with the UAE until the state ceases its support for armed actors in Sudan. The organization expressed concern that such a partnership of the Association could make it complicit with the UAE’s efforts to hide its role in the violence in Sudan.

On the eve of the Emirates Cup final on December 17, following its earlier call, Refugees International stressed that while the  the UAE government sponsors the NBA tournament of the season, it also reportedly sponsors mass atrocities in Sudan, directly supplying arms, cash and diplomatic cover to one of the warring parties — the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Sudan is reported to be currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis ever, which is fueled by a civil war that ignited in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is a Sudanese paramilitary group that emerged from the Janjaweed militia, known for its crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The ongoing violence in Sudan has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, including those resulted by the targeting of civilians, displacement of over 12 million people, lack of vital aid and basic services, the plundering of humanitarian supplies, and severe shortages of food and water which have resulted in acute hunger for about 26 million people. This indicates massive severe human rights violations.

The NBA is the top professional basketball league in North America, with teams from across the United States and Canada. It’s known not only for its high level of competition, but also for its popularity worldwide, which results in many corporate partnerships with major companies. Emirates airline, wholly owned by the government of Dubai, became NBA`s Official Global Airline Partner and title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup in October, and has prominently sponsored the NBA’s in-season tournament which takes place from November 12 to December 17.

“The NBA’s partnership with the UAE risks making it complicit in UAE efforts to divert global attention from its illicit support of atrocities in Sudan.” – Refugees International`s statement said. The organization insisted that the NBA reconsider its partnership with the UAE and use its platform to speak out on Sudan and urge UAE to stop inciting atrocities, rather than vetting it for sponsorship.