Britons are more likely to be arrested in the United Arab Emirates - the federation of which Dubai is a part - than anywhere else in the world. The Foreign Office website warns that there is a 'zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol'.
It adds that arrests can arise from financial offences, such as bouncing cheques and offences against the laws relating to culture and morality. Possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum four year jail sentence. Care should also be taken about the import of prescription drugs and some over-the-counter drugs.
Britons can find themselves facing charges relating to cultural differences, such as using bad language, rude gestures or public displays of affection. British nationals should also be aware of the UAE’s strict laws banning sex outside of marriage.
8 comments:
So when we go there we have to abide to their draconian laws but when they come here WE have to accomodate them in EVERYWAY possible. I'm telling you people, it has become increasingly easy to have prejudice towards Muslims. Dubai is a good example of how backwards and dangerous these people are!
Sorry 'Fanatic' but most of the laws they have over there are very similar to ours, it is illegal to have sex in public, anti-drug laws, drink driving in dubai and here. It is just how they handle these crimes in a low tolerance manner which differ (which perhaps i could agree with them).
Though i might not agree with many of there laws but i think its very dictatorial of us to expect every country we go to for our holidays that we can put down our flag and expect them to adopt our values.
"Sorry Fanatic"... yeah, you should be sorry! You know exactly what I am talking about it and yet you try to act dumb about it. We are talking about not being able to demonstrate one of the most basic and valuable of all human emotions. Imagine going on vacation with your girlfriend or wife and not being able to hold hands or kiss them. Imagine doing so and dealing with extreme consequences for it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/04/dubai-kissing-couple-jail_n_524736.html
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE60B3PO20100112
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/28/105131/305/travel/Dubai+Tourist+Arrested+For+Wearing+Nude+Posh+Spice+Tee (different case, but you get the picture)
Don't even try to compare ours laws with theirs as there is a world of difference (for staters, their laws are religiously based). We are talking about having our most basic freedoms as human beings being revoked.
The answer is simple. Don't travel to Dubai.
Maybe if they lose enough tourist dollars they'll reconsider their Middle Ages attitude about everything.
<span>a quick question, <span><span>you said that it is 'valuable' ...and why is that?</span></span>
To make things simple...it is there country and when ever you enter another country, you are agreeing to there rule of law (just or unjust...doesnt matter ) , if you don't like it, don't go on holiday there ( i would think that would be obvious to most people but apparently now ). </span>
DFanatic: I mostly agree with you, but not in your suggestion that we shouldn't be accommodating to others.
I think the draconian laws in UAE and other "Theocratic" countries are horrible. Those who would consider going there should be aware of these laws and decide whether to break them (risking death!), to obey them, or to stay away. And surely we should be able to talk about what's wrong with these laws. Hopefully someday their own citizens will be free to do likewise.
Along those lines, I think the freedoms we have here make our country better. But that freedom applies to everyone, not just those who would make the same choices as I do. So yes, I think we should accommodate those who come to our countries and wish to live differently, as long as they don't try to make us live like them.
'<span>And surely we should be able to talk about what's wrong with these laws. Hopefully someday their own citizens will be free to do likewise. '</span>
I think the majourity of those in dubai (that are nationals) want to keep the laws how they are.
I would never go there or spend one penny to aid the economy of any repressive country. And I will reiterate: they expect others to obey their laws, yet expect us (Westerners, non-theocrats) to give them special treatment in our countries. I think it's wrong for European countries to cave in to their demands. If they don't like Western culture, they should not leave their own repressive countries.
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