ABU DHABI: A new United Arab Emirates (UAE) law has declared any action that is
discriminatory and insults any religion through speech, written word, books,
pamphlets or online media as punishable. It criminalises all forms of
discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or
ethnic origin. It was enacted on Monday.
Punishment for violation of the law include jail terms ranging from six months
to more than 10 years and fines from Dh50,000 to Dh2 million.
The anti-discriminatory law was issued by a decree by President Sheikh
Khalifa. The law also has provisions for punishment for terming other religious
groups or individuals as infidels, according to State news agency Wam.
The aim of the law is to provide a “sound foundation for the environment of
tolerance, broad mindedness and acceptance in the UAE and aims to
safeguard people regardless of their origin, beliefs or race, against acts that
promote religious hate and intolerance”.
The law prohibits any insult to God, his prophets or apostles or holy books or
houses of worship or graveyards.
Wam reported: “Strict action will be taken against any form of expressions of
hatred or incitement to hate crimes spread in the form of speech and
published media. The law also criminalises any act that amounts to abuse of
religion or vandalism of religious rituals, holy sites or symbols, and takes a
serious view of violence on the basis of religious doctrines.
“The law prohibits any entity or group established specifically to provoke
religious hatred and recommends stringent punishments for groups or
supporters of any organisations or individuals that are associated with hate
crimes.
“It also bars any kind of events such as conferences and meetings within the
UAE organised with the sole purpose of sowing seeds of discrimination,
discord or hatred against individuals or groups on the basis of faith, origin or
race. Receiving financial support for such activities is also punishable under
the new law.
“The law encourages anyone involved in any activity that violates the law to
voluntarily submit themselves before the authorities and has provisions
allowing the courts to waive penalties in such cases.
“The new law does not contradict with any other existing laws meant to
protect specially privileged groups in the society such as women, children and
individuals with disabilities or others.”
July 20, 2015