Basketball: NBA criticized for its links with the Emirates

The organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) estimated that the links established by the NBA with the United Arab Emirates could be used for “sportswashing”. The American league has been holding preseason matches in Abu Dhabi since 2022, and the annual NBA Cup, which began last week, is now sponsored by Dubai’s Emirates.

“These matches are part of efforts by the UAE government to divert attention from the numerous human rights violations committed in the country and abroad,” HRW wrote in a statement.

According to the New York-based NGO these violations include alleged support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, where a war has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The authorities of the Emirates did not react immediately, but in a statement published earlier this week, they once again denied any involvement in the war in Sudan.

HRW also mentioned the “zero tolerance policy” towards any dissent in the Emirates and an “abusive” sponsorship system for migrant workers. She also spoke of a mass trial, criticized by United Nations experts and human rights defenders, which saw 43 Emiratis sentenced to life in prison for links to “terrorism” in July.

“The NBA should know that the Emirates hosts high-profile sporting, cultural and entertainment events to promote a public image of openness and tolerance at odds with systematic and endemic human rights violations,” adds HRW .

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates has invested in high-level sport such as Formula 1, golf and football, with Abu Dhabi notably owning Manchester City.