STATEMENT FROM THE FREE LATIFA CAMPAIGN - PRINCESS HAYA AND MARY ROBINSON

For immediate release

David Haigh, a human rights lawyer, who has been leading the campaign to free Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum said today (mon) “Our thoughts and prayers are with Princess Haya and her young children at this time and we hope they have found safe sanctuary away from Dubai. Her courageous decision to leave her husband and seek asylum and divorce further highlights the dubious role of Mary Robinson, the former UN human rights commissioner and Irish President.

“The latest shocking development also offers Mary Robinson a golden opportunity to redeem herself following her ill-judged and highly criticised mission to Dubai last December. She simply needs to make a sincere and contrite statement saying she was duped by the wish to help an old friend sort out a family matter, that she acted under duress, and she regrets and disowns her visit to Dubai last December.

“For the sake and the future safety of Princess Haya and her children and Princess Latifa and women in the Gulf she needs to be honest with herself and stand up for women. We will be writing to Mrs Robinson to express our concerns.”

Ends.