Geneva – Exclusive
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is leading a coordinated campaign in Geneva against Qatar, leveraging its lobby network and paid civil society organizations from Africa. The campaign seeks to bring in so-called “victims,” such as migrant workers, to present testimonies at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in an effort to damage Qatar’s international reputation.
Ongoing UAE Funding for the Campaign
Reliable reports indicate that the UAE has continuously financed this campaign for the past three years, with some human rights organizations and activist institutions in Geneva receiving substantial sums to support anti-Qatar activities. These funds are channeled through the UAE Embassy in Geneva, as well as through a key intermediary, Isa Al-Arabi, a Bahraini national who serves as a liaison for the UAE in supporting various rights organizations at the UN.
Who is Leading the Campaign?
In addition to Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme led by Mr. Nishkarsh Singh
And Tumuku Development and Cultural Union (TACUDU), led Mr. Fazal-Ur Rehman; International Network for Human Rights (INHR) and its entire team is officially lobbying on behalf of UAE and its agenda.
Sources reveal that this campaign is orchestrated by key figures in Geneva and Washington’s human rights and diplomatic circles, primarily operating within the International Network for Human Rights (INHR). This organization plays a significant role in organizing human rights events at the UN, with a team of legal and diplomatic experts involved.
Biro Diawara – INHR’s Senior Adviser on Africa
A veteran human rights activist in Geneva for over 20 years, Biro Diawara represents African civil society interests, including journalists, parliamentarians, religious leaders, and human rights defenders. He has strong ties with African delegations in New York, Geneva, and the continent, with a particular focus on Sudan, West Africa, and his home country, Guinea.
Clement N. Voule – Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association
After completing his UN mandate in Summer 2024, Clement Voule joined INHR’s Geneva team in September. As an international lawyer from Togo, he specializes in human rights and security sector reform and holds multiple positions in Geneva’s human rights community.
Jane Galvao – INHR’s Resource Mobilization Director & Global Health Adviser
With over 20 years of experience in managing health programs, Jane Galvao has worked on infectious diseases, women and children’s health, and has managed more than $750 million in funding for organizations such as UNITAID and WHO.
Eric N. Richardson – INHR’s Founding President
A former U.S. diplomat and lawyer, Eric Richardson led the U.S. team at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva from 2013-2016. With experience in China, North Korea, Libya, Tunisia, New Zealand, and Israel, he now focuses on AI mediation efforts and teaches law at the University of Michigan and UC Berkeley.
John Sciamanna – Expert on Social and Economic Rights, New York
With over 30 years of experience, John Sciamanna specializes in children’s policy, labor rights, and social welfare, having worked with U.S. Congress and state legislatures on legislative and advocacy efforts.
T. Kumar – Senior Human Rights Adviser, Washington DC
A former Advocacy Director for Amnesty International USA, T. Kumar has spent over two decades advocating for human rights and humanitarian issues worldwide, particularly in Asia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
Jeff Landsman – INHR’s Administrative Director & Treasurer
A Certified Financial Planner and experienced international buyer, Jeff Landsman manages INHR’s financial and administrative operations while overseeing strategic planning.
Assel Alimbayeva – Program Officer & Administrator, INHR Geneva
Fluent in English, French, Russian, and Kazakh, Assel Alimbayeva has worked at the UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) and Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission to Geneva, leading INHR’s social media and personnel management.
Pedro Chirinos Terrones – Legal Advisor, Lima
A Peruvian lawyer, Pedro Chirinos specializes in international trade, business and human rights, and international law compliance.
Sean Wissing – AI & Innovation Specialist, Bologna
Holding two master’s degrees from SAIS-Johns Hopkins and Bologna Business School, Sean Wissing leads INHR’s fundraising efforts and AI governance projects.
Zaf Hassim – Videographer & Reconciliation Specialist, Asia
Specialized in conflict mediation, Zaf Hassim has worked across Sri Lanka, Burma, Indonesia, and the Central African Republic, using cinematography as a training tool for peacebuilding.
Coordinated Efforts Against Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic sources indicate that the UAE is recruiting African civil society organizations to carry out media and human rights attacks against Qatar. These efforts are set to intensify during UNHRC sessions in June and September 2025, with a major campaign planned for the September session.
Additionally, the UAE is allegedly preparing similar activities within the African Union Commission, targeting both Saudi Arabia and Qatar as part of its escalating geopolitical competition in Africa.
These developments highlight the growing regional tensions in Africa, where the UAE is leveraging human rights and diplomatic tools to advance its political agenda. The revelations also raise serious concerns about the independence of certain Geneva-based human rights organizations, which are increasingly being used as instruments for political influence rather than impartial advocacy.
