UAE arrests democracy activists

April 14, 2011

11 April 2011 Last updated at 14:48

The authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested three political

activists who called for democratic and economic reforms.

They include outspoken economics professor Nasser bin Ghaith, said a lawyer and

fellow activist on Sunday.

Also detained were Fahad Salem al-Shehhi and Ahmed Mansour, who took part in an

online pro-democracy forum.

Mr Mansour was arrested on Friday in Dubai after he signed a petition in favour

of an elected parliament.

Emirati intellectuals and activists, inspired by popular uprisings sweeping the

Arab world, petitioned the UAE president on 9 March to introduce direct

elections and invest parliament with legislative powers.

The UAE is an alliance of seven sheikdoms run by ruling families. The

parliament, based in the capital Abu Dhabi, serves as an advisory body.

Its 40 members are either directly appointed by the ruling sheikhs or elected by

citizens hand-picked by the rulers to vote.

There are no official opposition groups and political parties are banned.

Several Gulf states have been rocked by pro-democracy protests inspired by the

revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, including Bahrain, Yemen, Oman and Saudi

Arabia.

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