‘Indecent’ acts of tourists on the beach and in shopping malls – like wearing short skirts and kissing in public – are not considered as criminal offences but as violations of law, according to Brigadier Khalil Al Mansouri, Director-General Department of Criminal Investigation, Dubai Police.
Such cases of misbehaviour should be dealt with in a civilised manner by educating violators about UAE laws and customs. Only if tourists continue to violate the law, the matter can be reported to the police, he said.
“The UAE is a developed country which understands different cultures. People of 203 nationalities live in UAE. Tourists are often unaware of the laws and customs of the country,” he said.
He also said Dubai Police has dealt with a few cases of tourists indulging in acts considered impolite and contrary to public morality.
The statements of Brigadier Al Mansouri came in the Rouh Al Qanoon (Spirit of the Law) programme presented by lawyer Issa bin Haider on Noor Dubai Radio. The programme discussed indecent practices of some foreigners in UAE and how to deal with it.
Al Mansouri also said Dubai Police has set up the Department of Tourism Security which has security officers and people fluent in many languages. Their task includes educating tourists about their rights and duties, laws and customs of UAE and what is allowed and forbidden in the country.
Al Mansouri advised citizens and residents to deal with tourists who dress or behave in ways contrary to public morality in a civilised manner by speaking to them calmly. If the tourist does not respond positively, the citizen or resident call the police operations room on 999.
Complaints can also be made with police officers in malls and officers on foot patrol on the beach.
Al Mansouri said some single men sometimes harass families and tourists on the beach. They can call the police operations room which will send a patrol to catch the offenders. The police will either warn the offenders or make an official report, according to the wishes of the complainant.
According to Article 120 of the Federal Penal Code, deportation is mandatory for crimes relating to public morality, such as committing an obscene act but only if the act is accompanied by a crime against honour.
The Dubai Court of Cassation has stipulated that for deportation, the sentence against the offender who behaved indecently should include a punishment restricting his freedom. That means if the penalty is a fine, imprisonment will be dropped.