UAE scrubbing Hind al-Owais from internet after Epstein emails uncovered

Several mentions of Hind al-Owais, an Emirati official whose name appears extensively in the Epstein files, have quietly been scrubbed from the internet, Middle East Eye has found.

Owais has served for some time as the director of the Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR), a body created by the UAE government in 2019 to promote human rights. 

Mentions of Owais have been wiped from the organisation’s Instagram, X and LinkedIn accounts, as well as from its website. That includes posts that referred to her as the PCHR’s director as recently as two weeks ago. 

Posts from earlier this month which state that “the Director of the UAE's Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR), Hind al-Owais, participated in the 6th Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Conference...” have been removed from the PCHR’s Instagram and X pages. Previews of the posts were seen by MEE on Google search results. 

The sixth Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Conference was held in Dubai on 2 February 2025.

Another deleted post on X said that a panel discussion which took place on 25 February concerning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been “skillfully moderated by Hind Al Owais”. 

A page on the website of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) - a diplomatic training institute based in the UAE - detailing the speakers and moderator of that event has disappeared. Owais was the moderator.

According to the Wayback Machine, the page was visible as recently as December 2025, but no longer exists. Now it says “404 Page not found. The page you are looking for does not exist. It might have been moved or deleted”.

The AGDA was founded by the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and is named after Anwar Gargash, an influential adviser to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

At least two posts naming Owais as the director of the PCHR have been scrubbed from the organisation's LinkedIn account too, MEE found.

Addditionally, Google search results show that as of May 2025, there was a profile page for Owais as a past speaker at the World Governments Summit.

The page used to have an image of her and list her experience as “Senior Vice President of International Participants at Expo 2020”. 

That page no longer exists, and redirects users to the homepage. The World Governments Summit is an annual event which takes place in Dubai.

A number of webpages in which Owais is named have been scrubbed from the PCHR’s website, according to both Google Search results and web archives. 

That includes a “fireside chat” on women in public policy, an event to celebrate Human Rights Day in December 2024, a post about the UAE holding a “first of its kind” dialogue on regional human rights mechanisms, an event on human rights in the metaverse, an event on children’s rights and an event on human rights and artificial intelligence.

In fact, the entire “news and opinions” section of the PCHR website, which had existed as recently as December 2025, was no longer visible as of 11 February. 

MEE asked the PCHR, the UAE foreign ministry, the AGDA and the World Governments Summit for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Emails with Epstein 

As well as her roles in the PCHR and Expo 2020, Owais in 2015 became the first Emirati woman to be appointed to an international position at the UN’s headquarters, according to an interview with her in Khaleej Times.

Owais and Jeffrey Epstein exchanged emails between November 2010 and December 2012, according to files released by the US Department of Justice. 

All of this correspondence took place after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. 

There is no suggestion that Owais participated in any criminal activity or wrongdoing. 

In one set of emails from January 2012, Owais says to Epstein: “Are you in town?? My sister is here and I have told her so much about you.... I want her to meet you.... Let me know when!!!!! Kisses Hind.”

Epstein replies with a day of the week, to which Owais responds: “Hi already in discussions with [redacted] on time- I am so excited to see you and introduce you to my sister- she is even prettier than me!!!!!”

The emails appear to confirm that Owais and Epstein met on several occasions, and suggest they were close acquaintances.

In one memo from May 2011, Owais explains to the sex offender that she will likely be moving to New York, and asks him if he “had any ideas on getting a job”. 

Months later, Owais asks Epstein: “Could you teach me how to make money??” 

In October 2011, Epstein tells Owais: “There is a person i think that might be helpful to your future job, here at my house today at 3, if you have a chance.” 

In a message from December 2012, Owais says to the financier: “You have forgotten me, but I haven't:)!! Hope you are well, would love to see you soon.”

There are a number of messages between the two referring to “his highness” or “HH”. It is not clear from the emails who the figure in question is.

“His highness” is an honorific title that is used for a small handful of senior members of the ruling families of the Emirates. 

“As for the continuing cooperation in the field of science, I really do hope we find areas of mutual interest. I know His Highness enjoyed meeting you as well,” Owais says in one email to Epstein. 

In recent days, several Emirati influencers have posted videos defending Owais online, and seeking to dispel misinformation about her relationship with Epstein. 

“At the time referenced, she was 27 years old, an adult, a professional, operating in New York in an investment environment where introductions, correspondence, and meetings are routine,” Ahmed Sharif al-Ameri, a UAE social media personality, said. 

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“Professional contact is not criminal participation. A meeting request is not endorsement. A business exchange is not knowledge of someone's private life.”

With regards to the comment about Owais’ sister being “prettier than me”, Ameri said that it had been taken out of context. 

“Anyone who has operated an international business… should understand that light remarks are often used to break the ice,” he said.

Middle East Eye has attempted to reach Owais for comment.

Last week, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a prominent Emirati businessman, was replaced as the head of DP World and the Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation after days of scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein. 

Emails revealed Sulayem maintained a decades-long professional and personal relationship with Epstein. 

The two men discussed visits to Epstein’s private island, introduced each other to powerful figures, and shared content about business, politics and religion. They also candidly - and sometimes degradingly - spoke about sex and women.