DUBAI (MEMO) – The UAE has come under fire by a human rights organization, which has raised concerns following the country’s recent acquisition of a female cycling team for 2022.
The current men’s WorldTour team, which is sponsored by the Persian Gulf state, announced on Tuesday that it will be buying the UCI license of the Italian professional Alé BTC Ljubljana team in order to launch its own women’s team.
However, the Geneva-based International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) said the purchase of the team was “deeply regrettable” especially as it is “a regime that systematically discriminates against women in law and in practice”.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, the director of ISHR Phil Lynch accused the UAE of “using sporting sponsorships and cultural events to wash its dirty human rights record.”
“ISHR calls on the UAE to release all of those human rights defenders like Ahmed Mansoor who have been arbitrarily detained solely for their work to promote human rights, equality and justice. The UAE should also guarantee a safe and enabling environment for the work of human rights defenders, and repeal all laws providing for male guardian authority over female family members,” he said.
Amnesty International has also called on riders, managers and support staff to “familiarize themselves with the UAE’s human rights record”.
The head of priority campaigns at Amnesty International UK, Felix Jakens said in a statement that “The treatment of Princess Haya and Princess Latifa by Sheikh Mohammed [Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum] and his operatives is a clear indication of how women’s rights in the UAE are downgraded and violated.”