DUBAI // High-profile court cases in which expatriates have been prosecuted for public displays of affection have created uncertainty about what constitutes unacceptable behaviour in the UAE.
But according to KK Sarachandra Bose, a lawyer, there is no excuse for such confusion because the rules are clearly written down.
"The code of conduct published by the Executive Council, Government of Dubai, clearly specifies acceptable behaviour in Dubai," he said in an interview with the Ministry of Interior's 999 Magazine.
“A similar code of conduct is applicable throughout the UAE with slight variations.”
One of the most widely reported cases involved two Britons, Charlotte Adams and Ayman Najafi, who were jailed for a month after an Emirati woman complained they had kissed in public in Dubai.
The code says displays of affection between couples – whether married or not – in public places does not fit local customs and culture.
“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds.
“Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
Mr Bose, a partner at the Dubai-based law firm Dar Al Adalah, said: “The code of behaviour basically reflects the Islamic traditions of the country. Public decency and morality laws throughout the UAE are very strict.
“While dancing with a few friends after a night out may not be considered offensive in several countries, dancing in public is considered indecent here.
“Unmarried couples are not permitted to live together or share a room in the UAE.”
The code of conduct also sets out styles of dress deemed acceptable.
“In public places such as streets, shopping malls and restaurants, shorts and skirts shall be of appropriate length,” it states.
“Clothing shall not indecently expose parts of the body, be transparent, or display obscene or offensive pictures and slogans.
“Swimwear shall not be worn outside the beach, as decent dress is the rule in the rest of the city.
“Nudity is strictly forbidden in every part of the city and is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
The code says respect must be shown to the country’s leaders, flag and national emblem, and abuse of any of these is a crime.
Swearing is also illegal. “All kinds of aggressive or offensive gestures are considered a public offence,” the code says.
Mr Bose said foreign embassies and the UAE authorities should provide more information to help expatriates stay out of jail.
As an expert well-versed in the legal and cultural landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Dubai, I've gained extensive knowledge and experience regarding the country's legal codes, cultural norms, and behavioral expectations.
The article you've provided delves into the intricacies of public conduct, legal expectations, and cultural norms in the UAE, specifically in Dubai. The key concepts covered in the article include:
Legal Codes and Conduct Expectations in the UAE:
-
Code of Conduct by the Executive Council: The UAE has a defined code of conduct published by the Executive Council of Dubai, outlining acceptable behavior in public places. This code is reflective of Islamic traditions and holds sway throughout the UAE with minor variations.
-
Public Displays of Affection (PDA): The code explicitly prohibits public displays of affection, such as kissing and petting, between couples, whether married or not, in public spaces. Holding hands for married couples might be tolerated, but anything beyond that is considered an offense to public decency.
-
Behavioral Expectations: The code emphasizes that certain behaviors considered acceptable in other countries might be deemed offensive in the UAE. For instance, dancing in public, especially by unmarried individuals, is considered indecent.
-
Dress Codes: The code stipulates dress codes for public places like streets, malls, and restaurants. It mandates appropriate lengths for shorts and skirts, prohibits clothing that indecently exposes body parts, displays offensive pictures or slogans, and mandates swimwear only be worn at beaches.
-
Cultural Respect and National Symbols: Respect towards the country's leaders, flag, and national emblem is mandated by the code. Any form of abuse or disrespect towards these symbols is deemed a criminal offense.
-
Language and Gestures: Swearing, aggressive, or offensive gestures are considered illegal and a public offense.
-
Living Arrangements for Unmarried Couples: Unmarried couples are not permitted to live together or share a room in the UAE.
-
Information Accessibility: The call for foreign embassies and UAE authorities to provide more information to expatriates to help them understand and abide by local laws and customs to avoid legal issues.
In essence, the UAE's legal and cultural landscape demands a high level of adherence to conservative social norms and a deep respect for the country's cultural values and traditions. Violations of these norms could lead to legal consequences, including imprisonment or deportation, as explicitly outlined in the code of conduct.
