(London) – Candidates in the upcoming by-election for mayor of Greater Manchester should publicly commit, if elected, to work with the UAE government to address its severe human rights record, Human Rights Watch and Fair Square said today in a joint letter to the candidates.
The UAE has invested billions of pounds in Manchester and its football club, Manchester City.
Human Rights Watch said that Manchester City Council’s relationship with UAE officials has provided valuable reputational cover for the UAE government at a time when the country is backing forces committing atrocities in Sudan. Mayoral candidates should not stay silent about the UAE’s record simply because money is flowing into Manchester.
Manchester links and reputational benefit
Manchester City Council has a close financial relationship with prominent figures in the UAE government, not least through its stake in the Manchester Life development company, a joint venture ultimately controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE vice president, deputy prime minister, and minister of the presidential court. The joint venture has provided the UAE government with valuable reputational gains in Manchester.
Human Rights Watch said that its report adds to growing evidence that the UAE has provided military support to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which are fighting the Sudanese army for control of the country. The Rapid Support Forces are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity and other grave abuses, including an ethnic cleansing campaign in Darfur.
Human Rights Watch found that Colombian private military contractors passed through Emirati military bases before being deployed in Sudan to assist the Rapid Support Forces. This is further evidence that the UAE is aiding the Rapid Support Forces or making a substantial contribution to their ability to commit war crimes.
Human Rights Watch identified the geolocations of Colombian fighters at the site of abuses committed by the Rapid Support Forces during their October 2025 takeover of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, a city they had besieged for 18 months. Foreign fighters, likely Colombian military contractors, stood by as Rapid Support Forces fighters massacred men and women, including people with disabilities, and kidnapped many for ransom.
In February 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added three Colombian nationals to the British sanctions list for involvement in “recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces in areas of Sudan, including el-Fasher”.
Using events to polish an image
The UAE hosts major sporting, entertainment and cultural events to project an image of openness, despite government efforts to block scrutiny of its systemic and widespread human rights violations, at home and abroad. The UAE uses these events to burnish its image, despite repressing dissent domestically and fuelling rights abuses overseas.
Human Rights Watch has previously sought to engage senior Manchester councillors on issues related to the UAE’s human rights record. In 2016, Human Rights Watch asked Sir Richard Leese, then a senior figure on Manchester City Council, to sign a letter calling on the UAE to release political prisoners and investigate allegations of torture. Leese declined, saying the Abu Dhabi government was an “ideal commercial partner” and that the “alleged” abuses described in the letter were beyond the council’s influence.
As also noted in a 2023 Fair Square report, very few Manchester political leaders have publicly criticised the UAE, despite the city council’s involvement in joint business projects with entities linked to the Emirati government.
What the next mayor should commit to
Candidates for mayor of Manchester should pledge that, if elected, they will pressure the UAE to stop backing the Rapid Support Forces. They should also commit to carrying out human rights due diligence on UAE-linked investments in the city and region, raising concerns directly with Emirati representatives, meeting Emirati human rights defenders, and speaking publicly about the UAE’s domestic record.
Alex Carlin, research and advocacy director at Fair Square, said: “Manchester’s next mayor should be prepared to stand up to the UAE given its domestic repression and its support for abusive forces in Sudan. Given the local government’s long and extensive relationship with the Emirati ruling family, voters need reassurance that Emirati investment is not being used to distract from its record as a human rights abuser. Our letter gives all candidates the opportunity to speak out publicly and make their positions clear.”