[Arab News] Authorities in the United Arab Emirates jugged a second pro-democracy advocate just two days after they took a leading reformist blogger into custody, a prominent lawyer and political activist said Sunday.Fahad Salem Al-Shehhy was jugged late Saturday in Ajman, an emirate north of Dubai, after participating in an online forum calling for democratic reforms in the UAE, said Mohammed Al-Mansouri, an activist.
The United Arab Emirates is an alliance of seven sheikdoms run by ruling families where political activity is severely restricted.
The forum had been run by Ahmed Mansour, a blogger and human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
activist, who himself was incarcerated on Friday in Dubai after he signed a petition in favor of an elected parliament.
Police and government officials have not responded to calls for comment.
There are no official opposition groups in the Emirates and political parties are banned. The oil-rich federation has not seen the kind of pro-reform unrest spreading elsewhere around the Middle East.
There has, however, been increased online discussions about the need for political reform.
Last month, 130 people signed a petition demanding constitutional and parliamentary changes in the Emirates, free elections for all citizens and a share in the country's oil wealth. A similar petition was also sent a few days ago.
Activists have complained of stepped-up harassment and monitoring of blogs and social media in the past year even as the federation -- where Dubai and Abu Dhabi pride themselves on their Western outlook -- showcases itself as an economic and cultural powerhouse.
Mansour said on Thursday that he's been getting threats for signing the petitions.
He also said he's been a target of an online smear campaign after commenting on Arab revolts in the region and explaining Emiratis' demands for an elected parliament in the media.
The Emirates' current parliament, based in Abu Dhabi, serves as an advisory body. Its 40 members are either directly appointed by the ruling sheiks or elected by citizens hand-picked by the rulers to vote.