These countries are great for vacations, to do business and to work...until they aren't. In reality, and backed by their laws, they are backward and savage fifth world countries. Stay the hell away, or at least calculate the risk of being framed for espionage for telling the truth about the royals or going to jail for consensual sex.
Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
31–40 of 86 posts
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#32It’s absurd that a British citizen, or a citizen of any democratic county, is living and studying in a repressive, corrupt and violent regime like the United Arab Emirates. These countries and their kleptocratic Sheikhs throw wealth derived from oil and blood at western universities, and bribe their officials into setting up “campuses” in their states. Then they get upset when arriving students don’t conform to the apathetic conformity drilled into their own citizens.
The Cold War is over. Yet somehow western democracies are still clinging on to alliances with barbarous regimes like Saudi Arabia and UAE. And now we see the fruits of it: Yemeni citivilians murdered during an unending war, a British citizen imprisoned for life for offending his hosts, and an agent of the Saudi royalty installed as president of the USA. What an utterly pathetic state of affairs.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
Like what? It's a very popular tourist destination. Yes, they treat immigrants bad but calling it dangerous for tourists?
Can you tell me what is so interesting to see in these countries that it’s worth potentially sacrificing your freedom or your life for what we consider minor infractions?
Skyscrapers. But seriously, it sounds like you talk about going to Syria. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations so I think you're exaggerating the danger here.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#34It’s absurd that a British citizen, or a citizen of any democratic county, is living and studying in a repressive, corrupt and violent regime like the United Arab Emirates. These countries and their kleptocratic Sheikhs throw wealth derived from oil and blood at western universities, and bribe their officials into setting up “campuses” in their states. Then they get upset when arriving students don’t conform to the a…
Why are you acting like these western democracies aren't just as barbarous and cruel?
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#35Article is light on details other than to say he was carrying out “legitimate academic research into security policy following the Arab spring”. Let’s say that someone from say China came to the US to stake out airports and study the US’s airport security protocol. I’m not sure the outcome would be much different. Even if this was all totally above board it Seems a bit naive to think this isn’t something that you sho…
Maybe a better example is someone from china comes to the us and studies voter suppression tactics from republican legislatures. That would get people's ire up. It could be a perfectly legitimate academic activity. or studying how the fbi surveillance of groups could be considered to be suppressive. Those are unwelcome things from authorities even though they could be happening.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#36It’s absurd that a British citizen, or a citizen of any democratic county, is living and studying in a repressive, corrupt and violent regime like the United Arab Emirates. These countries and their kleptocratic Sheikhs throw wealth derived from oil and blood at western universities, and bribe their officials into setting up “campuses” in their states. Then they get upset when arriving students don’t conform to the a…
> The Cold War is over. Yet somehow western democracies are still clinging on to alliances with barbarous regimes like Saudi Arabia and UAE.
That's because those in power are the moderate ones, who are able to keep the most extreme elements of Islamic fundamentalism at bay. You want to topple Saudi Arabia and UAE? Great, now it's run by ISIS. Sometimes you have to choose the lesser evil.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#37It’s absurd that a British citizen, or a citizen of any democratic county, is living and studying in a repressive, corrupt and violent regime like the United Arab Emirates. These countries and their kleptocratic Sheikhs throw wealth derived from oil and blood at western universities, and bribe their officials into setting up “campuses” in their states. Then they get upset when arriving students don’t conform to the a…
Why are you acting like these western democracies aren't just as barbarous and cruel?
Because they aren’t “just” as barbarous and cruel.
Violations of civil liberties occur in every country, but If you really believe that the rate and intensity of such is exactly the same in the UK as it is in Saudi Arabia or UAE, then you’re monumentally deluded.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#38It’s absurd that a British citizen, or a citizen of any democratic county, is living and studying in a repressive, corrupt and violent regime like the United Arab Emirates. These countries and their kleptocratic Sheikhs throw wealth derived from oil and blood at western universities, and bribe their officials into setting up “campuses” in their states. Then they get upset when arriving students don’t conform to the a…
Why are you acting like these western democracies aren't just as barbarous and cruel?
I agree that there are very unpleasant aspects of western democracies. But to say that, for example, the UK is as cruel and barbaric as Saudi Arabia is overheated rhetoric.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#39Earlier quoted context omitted.
Japan is not going to torture him, keep him up without letting him sleep are they? They have the rule of law and generally treat people well. You can't seriously compare those countries, can you?
It’s definitely much better than KSA, but 23 days in police custody? Most people would break under the pressure alone - no torture necessary...
Try Sweden... 365 days of policy custody.
Re: Life Sentence for British Student Draws Criticism for U.A.E
#40Article is light on details other than to say he was carrying out “legitimate academic research into security policy following the Arab spring”. Let’s say that someone from say China came to the US to stake out airports and study the US’s airport security protocol. I’m not sure the outcome would be much different. Even if this was all totally above board it Seems a bit naive to think this isn’t something that you sho…
> US to stake out airports and study the US’s airport security protocol. I’m not sure the outcome would be much different
Could you point to a real-life example you have in mind, in which either (or both) the judicial process was so non-transparent, or the punishment so severe? I mean, the obvious situation that comes to mind is Gitmo, but I couldn't think of instances of Gitmo detainees who were legal immigrants or on student visas.
There was recently a Chinese intelligence officer who was extradited to the U.S. to face espionage charges, but AFAIK, that case will be handled in open trial: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/10/us/politics/china-spy-esp...