Human rights defenders in the UAE have been subjected to harassment, travel bans, restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary detention and torture under interrogation. The UAE is not a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Freedom of speech and of the press is restricted. Human rights organizations are prevented from working legally as the country's Ministry of Social Welfare refuses to grant relevant organizations official recognition. Sharla Musabih, who is the director of the UAE's only women's shelter, faces criminal charges, as her organization operates without a license. The police regard HRDs as a security threat, which gives them the justification to harass with impunity.

In June 2006, Mohammed al-Mansoori, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender was arrested after he spoke critically on an Arabic satellite channel about the country's human rights situation. Another prominent lawyer, Mohammed al-Roken, was detained without charge; subjected to torture and ordered to cease writing articles critical of the government. Communication between HRDs is problematic as the authorities monitor the internet and block websites.