Ex-wife of Dubai royal pleads for help from UN in child custody battle

Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council.

They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children's safety.

The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied.

It's the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. read more