With a profound sense of loss and deep sadness, we mourn the unexpected passing of the tireless human rights defender Alaa al-Siddiq,33, who died in a car accident near London on Saturday, 19 June 2021.
We have lost a dear colleague and one of the finest and talented activists who fought with every ounce of her being to advance the cause of the UAE prisoners of conscience and justice in the Mena region. Alaa, the Executive Director of the U.K.-based ALQST, a non- profit organisation that advocates for human rights in the wider Gulf region, is the daughter of detained Emirati activist, Muhammed al-Sidiq, who was stripped of his citizenship and is currently jailed in the UAE for his peaceful demands for reform. He has been subjected to enforced disappearance and torture, before being sentenced to ten years imprisonment following a grossly unfair mass trial known as the “UAE 94”. Authorities have also revoked the citizenship of his children who are treated as stateless and have faced discrimination ever since.
Alaa Al-Siddiq had been living in exile in the United Kingdom since the beginning of 2019. She has bravely campaigned for her father’s release and of all activists languishing in UAE prisons and fought fearlessly against injustice everywhere. Despite all attempts to break her spirit and the hardships she faced, including harassment and threats, she never doubted that the struggle for freedom and justice would succeed.
The untimely death of Alaa Al-Siddiq was a great loss not only for her family and loved ones but for the entire human rights community. Our gratitude is not limited to Alaa. We thank her for her outstanding devotion to human rights, and we believe strongly that her work and exemplary courage will remain an inspiration for all.
We extend our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and colleagues.
