The UN asked the United Arab Emirates for proof that the daughter of the Dubai ruler is still alive after the release of secret messages she recorded this week, claiming she was being held captive after the failure of an attempt to escape the emirate. in 2018.
A spokesman for Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said on Friday that the UN “expressed our concern about the situation, in light of the disturbing videos that emerged this week. We request more information and clarification on the current situation. “
She added: “We ask for proof of life.”
Concerns about the fate of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, 35, have resurfaced this week after several media outlets published new videos that she claims to have recorded in the bathroom of a seaside villa that was “converted into a prison” .
She claims to have been confined at home after an escape attempt three years ago, in which she crossed to neighboring Oman and took a jet ski to a yacht in international waters. With two friends, she made it to the west coast of India before finding out she was being tracked by another ship and had been spotted by the Indian coast guard.
After eight days at sea, the ship was invaded by Indian commandos who handed it over to the UAE security forces in an operation authorized by their father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, according to a 2020 inquiry trial. by a UK court.
Latifa has not been seen since, except for official photos released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which she was portrayed having dinner with Mary Robinson, a former Irish president. Robinson told the BBC this week that she was “terribly deceived” to publicly guarantee Latifa’s well-being.
“All the windows are closed with bars,” said the princess in the last shoot. “There are five policemen outside and two female policemen inside the house. And I can’t even go out for fresh air.
“I’m making this video of a bathroom, because this is the only room with a door that I can lock. I’m a hostage. I am not free. I am enslaved in this prison. My life is not in my hands. “
She hasn’t heard from her in six months, according to her friends.
Sheikh Mohammed said his daughter – the second of his sons to try to escape – is in the loving care of his family.
His youngest wife, Princess Haya, also left Dubai fearing for her life after alleging that she had suffered a campaign of intimidation and harassment. A UK court judgment in 2020 concluded that his claims were true in the balance of probabilities.
Boris Johnson said this week that he is concerned about Latifa, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he would like to see some sign that she is “alive and well”.