The Lebanese government deported Abdulrahman Youssef al-Qardawi, an Egyptian-Turkish poet, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, prompting accusations from HRW that the deportation decision was unlawful and intended to silence dissent.
HRW expressed serious concerns regarding Abdulrahman’s safety, highlighting that he faces a high risk of torture and an unfair trial upon his arrival in the UAE. HRW characterized this deportation as a significant violation of both international and domestic law.
“Lebanese authorities initially arrested Abdulrahman on December 28, 2024, at the Masnaa border crossing after he returned from Syria, based on a provisional arrest request from Egypt” according to HRW. Subsequently, the UAE submitted its own extradition request on January 2, 2024, citing charges against him for spreading false information and disturbing public order through social media posts during his visit to Syria.
HRW noted that these charges do not constitute recognizable offences under international law, emphasizing that deporting someone for peaceful criticism undermines Lebanon’s rule of law. The organization further highlighted that despite appeals from Abdulrahman’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, to halt the extradition due to the potential for serious human rights abuses in both Egypt and the UAE, the Lebanese government proceeded with its decision without waiting for a ruling from Lebanon’s top administrative court.
This decision has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International (AI), which highlighted that al-Qardawi’s extradition poses a direct threat to his safety and well-being. The Lebanese government justified its decision by stating that the UAE had committed to providing al-Qardawi with fair treatment. However, HRW emphasized that “verbal assurances cannot mitigate the UAE’s documented history of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and torture”. The organization noted that Abdulrahman is not a citizen of the UAE and was not in the country when he allegedly committed any offences, revealing a troubling pattern of transnational repression targeting dissenters across borders.
Lebanon’s decision to deport al-Qardawi to the UAE stems from a complex interplay of regional politics and pressures from powerful Gulf states. This extradition reflects Lebanon’s growing alignment with Gulf interests, particularly as it seeks economic support and political stability amid its ongoing crises. Furthermore, the roots of this situation can be traced back to the broader context of political repression in the region, where dissent is often met with harsh penalties.
The deportation of Abdulrahman Youssef al-Qardawi raises critical questions about Lebanon’s adherence to international human rights standards and its commitment to protecting individuals from political persecution. As global scrutiny intensifies regarding this case, it is essential for international bodies to hold Lebanon accountable for actions that threaten fundamental freedoms and undermine the rule of law.
