Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to openly confront the human rights violations associated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its involvement in the ongoing crisis in Sudan. With the upcoming visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Berlin on September 10, 2026, this call for action is more urgent than ever.
The Need for Accountability in Sudan
Philipp Frisch, the Germany director at HRW, expressed concern over the German government’s reluctance to address the UAE’s complicity in war crimes in Sudan. He noted that Germany played a pivotal role in establishing the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan in 2023 and hosted a significant international conference on the crisis earlier in 2026. Frisch emphasized that the silence from Germany effectively grants the UAE a “free pass” for any future human rights abuses. This lack of accountability undermines international efforts to uphold human rights standards.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by a recent UN Fact-Finding Mission report, dated September 1, which revealed that individuals and entities linked to the UAE are significantly involved in facilitating atrocities in Sudan. The findings indicate that the UAE has been key in recruiting, financing, and deploying foreign military contractors who assist the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Detailed documentation by the UN shows that the RSF has committed war crimes and acts against humanity, raising serious concerns about the UAE’s role in these violations.
Evidence of Complicity in Atrocities
HRW’s own findings corroborate these serious allegations. In a report published in May 2026, the organization made it clear that the UAE-based security firm, Global Security Services Group, has hired numerous Colombian private military contractors to operate in Sudan since 2024. This evidence suggests that these contractors were on the ground in El Fasher, North Darfur, during a crucial offensive by the RSF. Such operations have been linked to extensive violations, including killings and sexual violence, amounting to war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity.
In light of these revelations, HRW is calling on Germany and other European Union member states to investigate Global Security Services Group and its CEO, Mohamed Hamdan al-Zaabi. The organization recommends targeted sanctions against them and advocates for an EU-wide arms embargo against the UAE, urging public denunciation of its support for the RSF. This collective action is vital to uphold human rights in the region and send a clear signal that complicity in atrocities will not be tolerated.
The UAE’s Domestic Repression and International Response
In addition to its role in Sudan, HRW highlights troubling patterns of domestic repression within the UAE. Recent events have shown the Emirati judicial system’s harsh stance against human rights defenders and dissenters, as demonstrated by the convictions of 53 individuals in a mass trial. Prominent activists like Ahmed Mansoor have faced prolonged detention without adequate legal recourse. Such oppressive actions are enforced through legal frameworks that severely restrict free expression and assembly, further complicating the UAE’s international standing.
The situation escalates as Sudan’s attempts to bring the UAE to account for its alleged complicity in genocide through the International Court of Justice have been unsuccessful. The court’s dismissal of Sudan’s claims highlights the challenges of international accountability when it comes to powerful states and their actions. As the global community grapples with these complex issues, it’s imperative for leaders like Chancellor Merz and President Steinmeier to step up and address these human rights violations decisively.
For lasting reform in Sudan and beyond, the international community must hold nations accountable for their actions.