An individual disguised as a dugong, a rare aquatic mammal, pleaded with passers-by to put an end to the burning of fossil fuels. Protesters wept as they remembered the names of Palestinians killed by Israel’s bombing of Gaza. Human rights activists staged a tense demonstration in support of political prisoners held less than 100 miles away and contended with last-minute demands that they not display the detainees’ names on their posters. Tens of thousands of people from around the world descended on Dubai for the annual United Nations summit on climate change, which marked a rare instance of political mobilization in the United Arab Emirates. The summit, known as COP28, was held in a major oil-producing country that garnered controversy due to its reliance on revenue from fossil fuels. Climate and rights activists contended that the summit tested the limits of a country that largely prohibits political action, including protests.
The Emirati government complied with U.N. rules to allow preapproved protests within part of the venue, an area referred to as the “blue zone” that was walled-off and not subject to local laws. Officials also pledged to make COP28 one of the “most inclusive” editions of the summit, expanding the participation of youths, women, and Indigenous people. However, climate activists argued that it was one of the most challenging years to stage protests, particularly for native Emiratis or foreign residents, even within the blue zone. Protests are effectively illegal within the Emirates, where political parties and labor unions are prohibited and news coverage is restricted.
COP28 prompted the sense that it was a distant, contained spectacle happening in the desert. Convening in a country that has limited political freedoms since its founding, the summit stirred a variety of emotions. The government has broadened its control in recent years with the crackdown on dissent after the Arab Spring. Emiratis are accustomed to limited political freedoms, which has driven even slightly dissenting views underground. Some found it paradoxical to witness pro-Palestinian rallies, considering the restrictive political climate in the country.
Emirati government officials defend their tight grip on political freedoms as necessary to prevent extremism and maintain order in a multicultural society. They insist they are committed to human rights and maintain that the country is committed to respecting human rights while embodying diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. However, activists argue that the state’s control has grown subtler through surveillance technology and digital monitoring.
Finally, climate activists raised concerns about holding the summit in politically restrictive countries for three years in a row and emphasized the importance of having the summit in a place where civil society can freely engage. Regional politics still seeped into the summit, as there was a scaled-back Israeli delegation and Palestine demonstrators. These events have raised questions about the role of the United Nations when it comes to human rights and freedoms.