Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to address the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) human rights record and involvement in atrocities in Sudan. This appeal comes ahead of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s forthcoming visit to Berlin on September 10, 2026, which is anticipated to feature significant investment announcements and meetings with German arms manufacturers.
HRW, concerned by Germany’s silence on the matter, highlighted the involvement of entities linked to the UAE in strengthening the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. A recent United Nations Fact-Finding Mission report from September 1, 2026, revealed the UAE’s connection to networks recruiting and financing foreign military contractors aiding the RSF — a group accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity (see more from JURIST).
Furthermore, HRW’s own investigation in May 2026 found evidence of Abu Dhabi-based security company Global Security Services Group deploying Colombian contractors to fight in Sudan. HRW urged Germany and the EU to probe Global Security Services Group and consider sanctions, while also recommending an EU-wide arms embargo against the UAE.
The situation in Sudan is dire, with reports from the UN documenting grave abuses during the RSF’s capture of El Fasher, including widespread killings and sexual violence. These acts could be part of a pattern suggesting genocidal intent. Meanwhile, despite these allegations, Sudan’s effort to hold the UAE accountable through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was dismissed in 2025 due to jurisdictional reservations by the UAE, leaving the merits of the allegations unexamined.
The UAE’s domestic repression compounds the issue, where a high-profile court case upheld the conviction of numerous human rights defenders. Among them is Ahmed Mansoor, imprisoned since 2017. In another trial, additional defendants received life sentences, and in November 2025, the death of political prisoner Ali Abdullah Fath Ali al-Khaja in custody ignited criticism from HRW and other advocacy groups. Laws in the UAE curtail freedom of speech and assembly, with legal frameworks such as the Federal Penal Code and Cybercrime Law being employed to silence dissent.
HRW’s call to Germany to confront the UAE at this diplomatic juncture underscores the tension between economic interests and human rights considerations. The situation places Germany at a crossroads, balancing its role as a global human rights advocate with its economic relationships. European nations continue to grapple with how best to address these complex international issues, ensuring accountability while managing strategic partnerships.