The UN human rights office said on Friday that it had asked the UAE for evidence that an Emirati princess held against her will for almost three years is still alive.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, based in Geneva, said that the case of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum was raised with the United Arab Emirates mission to the UN on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the BBC released excerpts from video diaries that Latifa said were recorded in a locked bathroom inside the villa in Dubai where she was detained. She was detained by commandos off the coast of India in 2018 after trying to escape Dubai on a yacht.
“We raised our concerns about the situation in light of the disturbing video evidence that emerged this week,” Elizabeth Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN law office, told reporters. “We ask for more information and clarification on the current situation of Sheikha Latifa”.
“We asked for proof of life,” she added.
Friends of the princess said they were concerned about her safety because she has not been heard since she stopped responding to text messages six months ago. The 35-year-old princess is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the hereditary ruler of Dubai who also serves as Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates.
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Throssell emphasized that it was standard practice for the UN human rights office to inquire about individual cases within its mandate. “This includes cases for any reason that have attracted a broader focus.”
“Given the serious concerns about Sheika Latifa, we request that the government’s response be a priority issue,” he added. “We are looking forward to receiving and considering this response.”
“In the meantime, of course, we will continue to monitor and assess the situation closely,” said Throssell.
The UAE embassy in London issued a statement on behalf of the Latifa family, saying that media coverage of their situation “certainly does not reflect the real position”.
“His family confirmed that His Highness is being cared for at home, supported by his family and medical professionals,” the statement said. “She continues to improve and we hope that she will return to public life at the appropriate time.”
Latifa’s case was previously raised by independent copyright experts appointed by the global body.
In December, the UN Working Group on Forced or Involuntary Disappearances reported that it had decided to examine the case of Latifa, “who is allegedly held in incommunicado detention at her family’s home in Dubai”.