The UAE has implemented substantial measures to safeguard its citizens against discrimination and hate by introducing a law in 2015 that criminalizes all forms of discrimination based on religion, caste, creed, sex, doctrine, race, color, or ethnic origin. This law is designed to foster an atmosphere of tolerance and open-mindedness, aiming to shield individuals regardless of their background, beliefs, or race. It criminalizes any actions that incite religious hatred or insult religion through any form of expression, including speech, written words, books, pamphlets, or online media. Additionally, the law punishes anyone who labels other religious groups or individuals as infidels or unbelievers.
In 2023, the UAE updated this law to prohibit and penalize attacks on religious beliefs, rituals, and sacred elements, as well as the distortion, damage, desecration, and insult of holy books. It also addresses disrespectful behaviors towards prophets, places of worship, cemeteries, graves, and their associated spaces. The law forbids actions or expressions that could lead to discrimination and penalizes acts intended to incite hate speech, tribal conflicts, or disturb public peace through any means of expression. It clarifies that freedom of opinion and expression does not justify statements or actions that incite contempt or harm towards religions. The law defines extremism as any action carried out by individuals or groups driven by ideologies, values, or principles that disrupt public order or show contempt for religions or discrimination, or the incitement of hate speech.
Penalties for violating the various provisions of the law include jail terms ranging from six months to over 10 years, and fines can range from Dh500,000 to Dh2 million. To report discrimination, if you have been a victim based on religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, color, or ethnic origin, you can report incidents to government authorities through various channels such as online platforms of the UAE Police, judicial authorities, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Human rights issues can also be reported through the eServices from the Human Rights Office - Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi and the Community Development Authority (CDA). Additionally, you can contact the Ministry of Tolerance and Co-existence in the UAE or refer to the UAE's National Human Rights Institution for any complaints related to human rights.
