Are Dubai Laws Really As Strict As They Seem?

veggie4life

I'm spending three days in Dubai on my way to Qatar and people have worried me senseless reminding me of the things i can or cannot do. Whilst I have no intentions of kissing in public, having sex on a beach or bringing in a tonne of cocaine the stories of people being arrested for a microscopic spec of cannabis on their shoes are very unnerving.

Having done some googling these incidents appear rather sketchy "A swiss national" etc. Are Dubai customs really likely to examine every inch of my clothes on arrival in search of drugs that I'm not aware I have in my possession ?

dmg24

I found Dubai surprisingly relaxed, and personally do not know anyone that has had problems there. I have also heard the stories, but would have no qualms about going again.

newleaf

I've been to Dubai 3 times in the last 10 years without incident. It's a great place to visit, I hope you have a lovely time.

alanrowell

The general rule is that as long as it doesn't come to the attention of the authorities (eg someone complains) then you shouldn't have problems. However if it does then the law gets applied in full.

whatmichaelsays

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7234786.stm

Tojo_Ralph

veggie4life wrote: »

Are Dubai Laws Really As Strict As They Seem?

The laws of the land in the UAE are draconian when compared to UK law, particularly for "crimes" of a sexual nature, however, it is the exception rather than the norm when an unmarried couple are jailed for kissing in public or sending and receiving saucy texts.

With regards to recreational drugs, forget it, even those in your system can see you thrown in jail, however more often than not, the problems Europeans experience with drugs in the UK relate to drugs that are over the counter or prescribed medications in the UK, but likely to land you a four year stretch in the UAE.

One thing to avoid in the UAE though and that is conflict with a local, because you are guaranteed to come off second best. Be it an altercation, an RTA, a quad bike/windsurfing accident, rest assured, you will be at fault and the guilty party, regardless of the circumstaces.

As for Dubai itself, I've always found it kind of strange that you can buy the likes of Viagra and Cialis over the counter if you can't get it up, you can visit any number of nightclubs and bars to furnish yourself with a prostitute to get it up with, but should you find yourself out of action due to a headache, popping a couple of codeine will land you in jail.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2836431/Dubai-rape-Brit-tells-of-nightmare-ordeal.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8573565.stm

dickydonkin

As for Dubai itself, I've always found it kind of strange that you can buy the likes of Viagra and Cialis over the counter if you can't get it up, you can visit any number of nightclubs and bars to furnish yourself with a prostitute to get it up

Tojo Ralph Of course, I am sure that this is what you have heard and the above is not from personal experience as I am certain that you would not get involved in drugs and prostitution.

Joking aside though, you are correct.

My first experience of some degree of censorship in the Emirate was when I went there for the first time around 10 years ago.

I was browsing through some of the UK papers in the hotel shop and I noticed all of the intimate 'female parts' that were exposed in the tabloids were 'blacked out', however, I thought what a fascinating job someone must have to scour through all of our imported 'red tops' looking for naked flesh and deleting when appropriate.

I am unsure if that happens now however.

BTW - I would like to add at this point, I was not deliberately looking for the page three beauties, I was just looking for the the weather forecast and the news from back home!

Another incident relating to drugs is when a friend who visited Dubai was suffering from intense back pain and he was in absolute agony.

He visited the local pharmacy where he was given some tablets to relieve the pain. These tablets turned out to be brilliant and removed the pain allowing him to enjoy the rest of his trip.

On getting home, the pain returned and he showed his doctor the now empty packet of pills he was given in Dubai and asked for a similar prescription.

He was informed that the drugs would undoubtedly be illegal to sell over the counter here due to the the very large amounts of Morphine contained within them.

I have been to Dubai about half a dozen times, however, it is now far too expensive (although getting there is relatively cheap).

I am sure the OP will enjoy the place, but it does get very hot in the summer, however, just respect the country you are in and their people and you will be fine.