The United Nations human rights body is investigating recently released videos in which a daughter of the Dubai ruler claims to have been held “hostage” – while the UK on Wednesday demanded evidence that she is still alive.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, 35, used a phone smuggled to her in her “villa prison” to beg for help in messages released to the BBC after her supporters lost contact about six months ago.
“I am a hostage … I am concerned about my safety and my life,” whispered Latifa, considered one of about 30 children that Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has with several women.
“I really don’t know if I’m going to survive this situation,” she said in one of the clips broadcast by the BBC’s “Panorama” on Tuesday night.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it would “raise these new developments with the United Arab Emirates”, where Sheikh Mohammed, 71, serves as prime minister and vice president.
“Other parts of the UN human rights system with relevant mandates may also become involved after reviewing the new material or receiving specific allegations,” spokesman Rupert Colville told the BBC.
Marcus Essabri, one of Latifa’s cousins who lives in England, told the BBC that the videos stopped about six months ago and there has been no news from Latifa since.
“I’m afraid they caught her with the phone and now I’m afraid for her safety,” he said.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the videos “Very distressing” and asked for proof that the princess was still alive.
“It is deeply worrying and you can see a young woman in deep distress,” Raab told ITV, supporting the UN investigation.
“Given what we just saw, I think people, on a human level, would like to see if she is alive and well.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government would monitor the investigation. “This is something that obviously concerns us, but the UN Human Rights Commission is analyzing this,” he said. “I think what we’re going to do is wait and see how they behave. Let’s keep an eye on that. “
Amnesty International called the videos “creepy” and said it was “extremely concerned about her safety”.
Rodney Dixon, a lawyer for Sheikha Latifa in London, asked Dubai to “do the right thing”.
“Release the princess,” he said.
A support group, Free Latifa, said the princess has been held hostage by her father since she was captured trying to escape Dubai in 2018.
Before Tuesday, the only time she was seen since she was brought back to Dubai was when her family released pictures of her sitting with Mary Robinson, a former Irish president and United Nations high commissioner for human rights. at the end of 2018.
But Robinson told the BBC that she had been “terribly deceived” to pose for the photos and did not ask Latifa about her situation because she was sure she had a mental illness.
Sheikh Mohammed and the Dubai royal court said Latifa was safe under the loving care of her family. The UAE government’s Dubai Media Office did not respond to a request for comment, the Associated Press said.
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