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Still from mobile video with Princess Latifa
Photo: #FreeLatifa campaign / Tiina Jauhiainen / David Haigh / AP
Following the publication of calls for help from the daughter of the Emir of Dubai, which were secretly recorded on video, the ruling family has now spoken up: Sheikha Latifa will be "cared for" in their home, the family said on Friday in a message from the embassy of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE) statement published in London.
The media reports would not "reflect the real situation".
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) had previously demanded a sign of life from the princess who was allegedly held in Dubai.
"Your family has confirmed that Your Highness is cared for at home, supported by her family and medical experts," the ruling family continued.
Latifa has not been seen in public since attempting to escape in 2018.
She says she is being held in a villa in Dubai.
The British broadcaster BBC published a video call for help from the 35-year-olds this week.
The photos were made available by friends of the princess.
"We raised the issue yesterday with the permanent representation (of the Emirates) in Geneva," said OHCHR spokeswoman Liz Throssell to journalists on Friday.
"We have requested more information and clarification on Sheikha Latifa's current situation," Throssell said.
The human rights office reported to the embassy of the United Arab Emirates that it was "concerned" about the "disturbing video material".
The UN office fell short of expectations of human rights groups like Human Rights Watch, which had hoped for a UN demand for the princess' release.
Overwhelmed by command
According to the BBC, Latifa recorded the videos about a year after she was forced to return to Dubai.
According to her own account, she recorded the video messages to close friends with a cell phone infiltrated from the outside in the toilet, as this was the only room she could lock.
Your friends have now passed it on to the BBC.
In it, she also reported how she was overwhelmed and immobilized by a commando from the United Arab Emirates during her escape on a yacht in 2018 and only regained consciousness in Dubai.
The city-state of Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates.
Latifa's father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Raschid al-Maktum, is the emir of Dubai and the vice-president and head of government of the emirates.
In the video messages recorded with a cell phone, the 35-year-old had accused her father of being held as a "hostage" in Dubai since her failed escape almost three years ago.
The government of Dubai had briefly stated in April 2018 that Latifa had been "brought back" to her family and that she was fine.
Months later, the government of the Emirates published photos of her and assured her that she would receive all "necessary care and support".
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