United Arab Emirates Anti-Discrimination Law

The United Arab Emirates Anti-Discrimination Law was enacted in the United Arab Emirates on July 20, 2015, and was issued, following proclamation by President Sheikh Khalifa. Under this law, any form of discrimination against people and religion is considered as an act of violation against the state. Penalties include jail terms ranging from six months to over 10 years and/or fines ranging in amounts from DH 50,000 to DH 2,000,000 depending on circumstances.

Background and details

The elements of violation of the law include oral and written communications such as books, pamphlets, online media such as blogs, social media posts, website articles and even online comments. The Anti-Discriminatory Law includes provisions for penalizing anyone for acts of hate and labeling other religious groups or individuals as atheist or unbelievers. The law is intended to strengthen the UAE as a progressive and equal rights society.

The law criminalizes acts that are considered to be insulting to a deity of a particular religion, prophets, apostles, holy books, houses of worship, or graveyards. Provisions include an anti-discrimination advocate for unnecessary disputes based on religion, caste, doctrine, race, color or ethnic origin.

The law deplores violence such as hate speech and promotion of discrimination in all media platforms such as print, online, and visual media. Any expression of hate against people and religion in spoken and published media is not tolerated.

See also

• Censorship in Islamic societies
• Government of the United Arab Emirates

References

• Anti-discrimination law enacted across UAE http://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/anti-discrimination-law-enacted-across-uae
• UAE law makes hatred a crime http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/government/uae-law-makes-hatred-a-crime
• Latest UAE law: DH20 Million Fine for Discrimination http://www.ibs-uae.com/uae-anti-discrimination-law/

External links

• Offical Online Portal of the UAE Government