Letter from Frederick Douglass to the UAE Ministry

by Ayyan Ali

To: Ministry of Interior Affairs and Human Rights Department UAE

11 February, 2019

My health is good, my spirit is bright, and I am enjoying myself as well as one can be expected, when separated from home by four thousand miles of deep Blue Ocean. I long to be at home—”home, sweet, sweet home! Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.” Nor is it merely to enjoy the pleasure of family and friends that I wish to be at home: it is to be in the field, at work, preaching to the best of my ability salvation from slavery, to a nation fast hastening to destruction. I know it will be hard to endure the kicks and cuffs of the pro-slavery multitude, to which I shall be subjected; but then, my glory is in the battle, as well as in the victory.

I have been frequently counselled to leave the United States and make UAE my permanent home, but that I cannot do unless it is absolutely essential for my personal freedom. I regard the UAE as a country that has always respected human rights and has always treated everyone in an equal stature regardless of class, color, race, creed etc. Hence, I believe that it is my utmost responsibility to inform and complain that I have been subjected to severe torture and mistreatment at Colonel Lloyd’s farms, to be specific in Master Covey’s farm. I have been whipped frequently, and I was denied food and water for several days. Even though I complete all my required work, Mr. Covey tortures me regardless of that. Thus, I request the ministry for intervention in this serious matter, considering that UAE is one of the most human rights loving country.

Thank You

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