BEIRUT – Lebanon's cabinet has voted to extradite Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, son of the late Muslim Brotherhood cleric Youssef al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite widespread concerns over potential human rights violations he may face upon his return. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Najib Mikati's office, follows al-Qaradawi's arrest in Lebanon on December 28 after he crossed the border from Syria.

Al-Qaradawi, a notable critic of the Egyptian government, was detained shortly after he filmed himself at Damascus's Umayyad Mosque, where he expressed hope for the Syrian people's victory in the aftermath of the civil turmoil, while also condemning the governments of the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. His comments, according to Al Jazeera, triggered his detention and subsequent interrogation by Lebanese authorities regarding both the extradition requests and a 2017 verdict against him in Egypt.

Amnesty International has raised alarms about al-Qaradawi's potential treatment if extradited, highlighting that he would be at significant risk of enforced disappearance, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment in both the UAE and Egypt. According to Sara Hashash, the organization's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, "Criticizing the authorities is not a crime," stressing that the extradition is likely a response to his legitimate exercise of free speech.

The UAE and Egypt sought al-Qaradawi's extradition, with his lawyer indicating plans to file an urgent appeal to block the extradition. “Forcibly extraditing him to a country where he is likely to face persecution would be a flagrant breach of the principle of non-refoulement under international law,” pointed out Hashash, referring to the legal obligation to not return individuals to countries where they face grave risks.

Furthermore, the decision may exacerbate tensions between Lebanon and regional players, particularly Turkey and Qatar, who have historically supported the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Qaradawi's sister is currently held in Egypt, also facing what Amnesty calls “bogus terrorism-related charges,” underscoring the perilous landscape for dissenters in the region.

This case spotlights the ongoing struggle for human rights in the Middle East, particularly regarding freedom of expression and the treatment of political activists. The decision to extradite al-Qaradawi is seen as a crucial test of Lebanon's commitment to upholding these rights, drawing international scrutiny.

For further reading, please refer to the original articles by AP News and Al Jazeera.