‘I take the view that the rule of law is essential to any modern state and a necessary precursor to full democracy,’ states Lord Soley on ePolitix.com, a website that provides ‘free to access’ services and aims to promote improved communication between MPs and the public.

Lord Soley comments further on the responsibilities that Abu Dhabi holds as a country, ‘Abu Dhabi is oil-rich and could be a beacon for a new Middle East.’

Examples are given of horrific instances where employees of Sheik Essa, brother to Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince are beaten brutally.

The Al-Ghussein family is another prime example Lord Soley mentions in his article. Commenting on the treatment Mr. Al-Ghussein received, Lord Soley says: ‘He opposed the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and earned himself the wrath of Yasser Aaraf, who enlisted the support of the Abu Dhabi government and had him kidnapped and secreted out of the country to be held in Gaza.’

According to Lord Soley’s report, the UN assigned Al-Ghussein’s capture category one status on the grounds of arbitrary detention. Unfortunately Mr. Al-Ghussein died one year ago and his family is still battling to keep their assets in Abu Dhabi, despite failing to restore their property. But Lord Soley reiterates the hope that the ‘growing pressure’ felt by the government may yield some positive progress.

Lord Soley summarises how he will attempt to bring Abu Dhabi’s government to face up to the several examples of corruption and brutality, ‘In my question I will seek to start a debate in the UK, EU and US where I am in discussions with other legislators about this problem…it needs a joint approach from everyone who would like to see Abu Dhabi establish the rule of law.’
A single question in the House of Lords is not sufficient for a territory with such resources and responsibility to change its modus operandi. More needs to be done to bring change and accountability to Abu Dhabi.