Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FORMER PRESIDENT OF Ireland Mary Robinson has said the UN Office of the High Commissioner should “seek the release” of Dubai princess Sheikha Latifa and her sister.
Robinson, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said last month that she was “horribly tricked” over a photo taken of her with Princess Latifa, the daughter of the Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum– who has said she is being held hostage by her father.
In February 2018, Princess Latifa Al Maktoum reportedly tried to flee Dubai, but her friends said that commandos stormed a boat carrying her off the coast of India.
It is claimed she was then brought back to the Emirates by her father.
Amid increasing international concern for the woman’s welfare, in December 2018 Mary Robinson attended a family lunch on invitation from Dubai’s royal family, and was photographed with the princess.
Robinson has said she made a “mistake” and was “naive” in relation to the case.
Speaking to Euronews, Robinson said it is important now to focus on seeking the release of Latifa and her sister, princess Shamsa, who has been missing since 2000.
“I think it’s actually very important now to support the Office of High Commissioner, the High Commissioner who has asked for proof of life and to actually go further with the mandates of the office and seek the release not just of Latifa, but also of her sister. That’s where the focus has to be,” she said.
In February, princess Latifa urged Cambridgeshire Police to reinvestigate the disappearance of her older sister, princess Shamsa.
Latifa said Shamsa was also captured by her father.
Shamsa, now 38, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge on August 19 2000 and has never been seen in public since. It is believed she was returned to the United Arab Emirates.
Cambridgeshire Police previously confirmed “aspects” of their 2001 investigation – which found insufficient evidence to take any action – will be revisited, although the force insisted the investigation is no longer “active”.
Last week, a UN spokesman said it is yet to see evidence from the United Arab Emirates that Dubai’s Sheikha Latifa was still alive, a fortnight after seeking proof.
The United Nations Human Rights Office had asked for evidence about the daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum after the BBC broadcast a video shot by Latifa saying she was being held captive and feared for her life.
Rupert Colville, spokesman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the organisation has spoken to the UAE’s diplomatic mission in Geneva.
“We’ve held discussions with representatives of the UAE government here in Geneva, but I don’t have any particular progress to report,” he said.
With reporting by Press Association.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Expect plenty more revelations.
ABP is a common name popping up a lot
Looking forward to the rest of the DNeigh results as they come in…
Just hearing some horses that died in Aintree were sold as beef shocking
I’m doing a sub-four -minute mile. Shergar DNA
Monaghan just up the road from me. Usually were Very good NEIGHbours until now.
I hope all these products with horse meat in them aren’t just being thrown away. There is nothing wrong with horse meat the only problem with the whole thing is that they didn’t tell us that the products contain horse meat. There are plenty of starving people that would gladly take horse meat burgers.
Stupid question…doesn’t horse cost more than cows?
Apparently not
I doubt it’s the 100% healthy ones that are ending up in the slaughterhouse.
We’re not eating racing stallions.
the price per kilo of beef paid to the farmer is 4.00- 4.50 per kilo carcass weight …….. I was talking to a farmer the other day and he told me that they just get paid for the carcass…they do not get paid for the organs or the hide (leather) ….
the price of horsemeat is .90 per kilo………..
The farmer was telling me that in Ireland that because of the new regulations being brought in with regard to horse ownership that certain people who own a lot of horses have been selling them to knackers (the correct term i.e. buyers of worn-out or unwanted horses ).
He maintained that you can buy anything from five to ten horses for the price of a cow and that in some cases people who can no longer afford to keep horses are giving them away !
have your say