Human Rights Watch urges Sorbonne University to break its silence about the trial of a lecturer at its Abu Dhabi branch, facing trial for insulting UAE leaders through his calls for democratic reform.
Nasser bin Ghaith published an article this year criticising what he called Gulf states’ attempt to avoid political reform by buying off their populations with generous government spending programmes.
Cecile Laborde, spokeswoman for the Sorbonne University in Paris, was not immediately available to comment.
Bin Ghaith is now one of five UAE nationals on trial for incitement and insulting the leadership of the UAE, a Gulf state that has been virtually untouched by protests that have swept through the Arab world this year.
The UAE is a close US ally in the Middle East and the world’s number three oil exporter.
“Despite mounting pressure from international rights groups and students at Paris Sorbonne University to speak up, Sorbonne has not only refused to criticize the UAE authorities but has also attempted to distance itself from bin Ghaith,” the New York-based rights group said in a statement late on Thursday.
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