Dubai court sentences human rights lawyer to jail for sex out of wedlock

The Associated Press
Published: January 17, 2007


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: A court on Wednesday sentenced an outspoken human rights lawyer to three months in jail for sex out of wedlock in a case that has been condemned by international rights groups.

Mohammed al-Roken was not present when the Dubai Court of First Instance delivered the sentence, nor was his co-defendant, a 40-year-old German woman, who received the same punishment.

The German woman, whose name was not disclosed, is believed to have left the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Roken, who pleaded innocent, said Wednesday he planned to appeal.

He declined to comment further. During the trial, which was conducted behind closed doors, al-Roken said he was being prosecuted as a bid to thwart his work as a rights lawyer.

~SNIP~


Sex out of wedlock, even between unmarried individuals, is illegal in the Emirates and some other Gulf countries.

The London-based rights group Amnesty International reported that al-Roken was arrested after giving an interview to an Arabic satellite TV station about the Israeli assault on Lebanon. He had been banned for years from giving interviews or writing in the local media, Amnesty said.

Human Rights Watch condemned al-Roken's prosecution in a letter that it sent to Emirates President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in October.

Human Rights Watch said the case against al-Roken and another activist amounted to harassment.

The trial is not al-Roken's first brush with the law. In 2006, he was detained for questioning about his human rights activities and public lectures. His passport was confiscated and he was not allowed to leave the country, Human Rights Watch said.



http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/17/africa/ME-GEN-Emirates-Lawyer-Sentenced.php


Some people are still living in the stone age it seems

So not buying this.

They just want to shut this person up.

and he who doesn't is hosed.

Those emirs ARE the government. They don't like the rules, they change them, just for themselves. There are seven of them running Dubai, and they take turns being lead dog. Oh, and they are all related. It's a family business, that "government." No "freedom loving peoples" to worry about there, they're all serfs and servants of the seven big cheeses.

Looks like bush* took some lessons from them on how to change the laws if you don't like them. Probably got an A+...the only one in his life!

Pay close attention.

Would be a good way to clean out congress.

they are two single adults

and be aware this is the kind of society the Western fundies want for us.

The only difference is the clerics' attire.

If she skipped the country and there is no evidence, then he will easily walk on appeal.

in a positive way... too often reports in the West catch only the positive, or negative on someone. While Amnesty International calls al-Roken a Human Right's activist, he doesn't exactly makes many friends if you take a close look at him...


"Roken objects to modernization and defends "tradition and morals." He is concerned that "despite religious prohibitions, drinking is unabashed," and his great fear is that "public wine-tasting parties are on the way" --- just like what D.C. liquor stores already offer. He goes to the beach and sees "dress he deems inappropriate." He is offended to see "women jogging in the streets with their dogs," something he thinks the law should not tolerate."... http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/014024.php

There is much more to this story... The UAE is a TINY country of 4 million (75% of whom are not citizens). Politics among the locals is a contact sport... literally, you meet bump into people everywhere you go. It's small-time. Because of that, insults are taken very personally. Think of it as Dallas, but in white robes and you have the UAE.

I'm not getting your point - putting a person in jail to shut him up isn't okay, especially on charges like this!

a bit more personal... You have to think of politics in the microcosm here...

For example, your neighbor's dog keeps pooping on your lawn... What do you do?

Certainly, 'disappearing' a dog would be a bad thing. But, you might confront, try to get in-trouble, or maybe even exact some revenge...

Think Dallas in robes when you think about politics here.

While I don't think someone should be put in jail for what he allegedly did, he certainly knew what the laws were here. He also knows he will be out of this in no time. This case will be thrown out on appeal unless there are witnesses to the adultery or they have physical evidence.

He will be fine and probably pissing off more people in the very near future if for know other reason than our Sheiks' aversion to bad publicity in the West.

Glad it's being exposed to the world. I live near Chicago and understand dirty politics but I despise seeing the justice system used to exact vengenance - it's so wrong.

You mentioned that this is the law in the UAE - how many people are prosecuted, convicted and jailed for sex-out-of-wedlock there? Is this commonly prosecuted or would this couple have had expectations that it would be overlooked, especially involving a western woman?