Photo credit; nba.com
Refugees International, an independent human rights organization that advocates for displaced people’s rights and protection, called on the National Basketball Association on Friday to end its partnership with the UAE until the state ceases supporting the violence in Sudan.
Jurist News reports that the organization expressed concern that such a partnership of the Association could make it appear to be supporting the UAE’s efforts to hide its role in the violence in Sudan.
On the eve of the Emirate’s Cup final on December 17, after its earlier call, Refugees International stressed that even though UAE government sponsors the NBA tournament of the season, it also reportedly sponsors mass atrocities in Sudan, directly supplying arms, cash and diplomatic cover to one or the warring parties – the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan is reported to be currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis ever, which is fueled by a civil war that ignited in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is a Sudanese paramilitary group that emerged from the Janjaweed militia, known for crimes against humanity in Darfur. The RSF took control of Sudan in 2019 during the country’s political crisis and participated in te suppression of protests.
The NBA is a top professional basketball league in North America, featuring teams from the United States and Canada. It’s known for its high competition and popularity, which has resulted in corporate partnerships with major companies. The government of Dubai wholly owns the Emirates.
