Back in 2018 the princess of Dubai, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum was captured while trying to flee from the United Arab Emirates. As her friends raised alarm over not hearing from Princess Latifa for over a year, the United Nations finally intervenes and wants to know if the Arab royal is alive.
A video surfaced about how the daughter of UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was being held hostage in her own home. The popular tourist destination is on the burner for their mistreatment of women in the Arab state.
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The UN is asking the UAE for proof that the Dubai ruler’s daughter is still alive, after BBC’s footage of Latifa’s correspondence with friends goes viral.
“I’m a hostage. This villa has been converted into jail. All the windows are barred shut, I can’t open any window … I’ve been by myself, solitary confinement. No access to medical help, no trial, no charge, nothing, … There’s five policemen outside and two policewomen inside the house. And I can’t even go outside to get any fresh air. I’m doing this video from a bathroom, because this is the only room with a door I can lock. I’m a hostage. I am not free. I’m enslaved in this jail. My life is not in my hands.” said the princess.
"The situation is getting more desperate every day"
Secret messages, sent by Dubai’s Princess Latifa Al Maktoum, reveal details of how she has been held in captivity, after a failed attempt to leave Dubai in 2018#MissingPrincess @BBCPanoramahttps://t.co/58qW4SHDAw pic.twitter.com/ILJseDc1JL
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 16, 2021
A spokesperson for Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), said the UN had asked for proof that Princess Latifa was even alive. She said the UN;
“expressed our concerns regarding the situation, in light of the disturbing videos which have surfaced this week. We have requested more information and clarification on the current situation.”
Meanwhile, according to CNN, the UAE’s embassy in London released a statement saying
“In response to media reports regarding Sheikha Latifa, 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 Highness is being cared for at home, supported by her family and medical professionals. She continues to improve and we are hopeful she will return to public life at the appropriate time,”
Princess Latifa and Her Attempt to Flee UAE
According to the princess’ friends they have not heard from her in six months. Her friend Tina Jauhiainen continues to run the ‘Free Latifa’ campaign.
She had been the one aiding Latifa’s escape attempt in 2018. The princess and her two friends had traveled to neighboring Oman and took a jet ski to a yacht in international waters. They planned to go to India and then the United States.
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Once she had reached the west coast of India she was spotted by the Indian coastguard, which led to her being detained and sent back to Dubai. According to a British Court’s judgement the vessel was raided by Indian commandos who handed her to UAE security forces.
The Dubai monarch’s youngest wife, Princess Haya, also fled to the United Kingdom and filed for divorce. She asserted that she fled Dubai fearing for her life. A 2020 UK court judgment found that her claims were true on the balance of probabilities.
