Archive · 4 Sep 2025
UN: US, UAE Jointly Held Afghan Refugee in Arbitrary Detention
Imagine a man from Afghanistan who used to work with the U.S. military.
When the U.S. left Afghanistan, he was taken to the UAE, but instead of going to the U.S., he was held for over two years.
A group from the United Nations said the U.S. and the UAE were wrong to keep him there without a good reason.
They said it was like keeping him in prison.
The man was finally allowed to go to the United States and is now free.
The UN group wants both countries to pay him money for what happened to him.
This situation is similar to many other refugees who were kept in the same place.
A UN body found the US and UAE jointly responsible for the arbitrary detention of an Afghan refugee.
The man, referred to as "Mr. B", was held in Abu Dhabi for over two years.
He was evacuated by private U.S. operators and promised transfer to the U.S.
The UN found the US violated international human rights treaties.
The man was transferred to the U.S. and is now at liberty.
- Who
- An Afghan man, a former police colonel.
- What
- The UN found the US and UAE responsible for his arbitrary detention.
- When
- Detention began after the US exit from Afghanistan in 2021 and ended in early 2024.
- Where
- Held in the Emirates Humanitarian City (EHC) in Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- Mr. B was detained after being evacuated by US operators.
- Detainee
- Afghan man referred to as "Mr. B"
- Detention Location
- Emirates Humanitarian City (EHC) in Abu Dhabi
- Length of Detention
- Over two years
- UN Body
- Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
- Finding
- US & UAE jointly responsible for arbitrary detention
- Outcome
- Mr. B transferred to US and at liberty