Dubai says princess ‘home’ after UN demands proof of life

GENEVA: Dubai’s royal family insisted that Sheikha Latifa (pic )was being “cared for at home” after the United Nations demanded proof that she was still alive following “disturbing” footage aired this week.

The UN Human Rights Office said it had asked the United Arab Emirates for evidence after the BBC published videos shot by the daughter of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum saying she was being held captive and feared for her life.

Sheikh Mohammed is the vicepresident and prime minister of the UAE, of which Dubai is one of the seven emirates.

The sheikh’s 35-yearold daughter has not been seen in public since a foiled attempt to escape from the emirate in March 2018.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said it had spoken to the UAE’s diplomatic mission in Geneva on Thursday.

“We did raise the case yesterday with the permanent mission here in Geneva,” OHCHR spokeswoman Liz Throssell said. “We did ask for proof of life.” The BBC said the clips it broadcast on Tuesday were filmed roughly a year after Latifa was captured and returned to Dubai, showing her crouched in a corner of what she says is a bathroom.

The undated videos were aired as Latifa’s friends voiced concern that they are no longer receiving secret messages from her, the BBC reported.

In a statement issued by the UAE’s embassy in London on Friday, the Dubai royal family said: “We want to thank those who have expressed concern for her wellbeing, despite the coverage which certainly is not reflective of the actual position.

“Her family has confirmed that her highness is being cared for at home, supported by her family and medical professionals.

“Sheikha Latifa continues to improve and we are hopeful she will return to public life at the appropriate time.”

The embassy did not provide any accompanying footage or images.

Throssell, from the office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet, said they had raised concerns with the UAE “in light of the disturbing video evidence”.

“We requested more information and clarification about Sheikha Latifa’s current situation,” she said.

“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation closely.”

In March 2018, Latifa tried to flee the UAE on a boat that was intercepted by commandos off the coast of India, according to her companions and the UK-based group Detained in Dubai.

In the videos, Latifa says men sat on her, tried to tie her up and injected her with a sedative.

She said she was held for three months in a prison in Dubai until May 2018 before being moved to a villa.