Welcome for new law against hate crime

Mohammed bin Rashid hails guarantee of protection from religious intolerance and promotion of an inclusive society

ABU DHABI // Rulers, religious leaders and legal experts yesterday welcomed a new law against hate crime and religious or racial discrimination. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the law “guarantees the freedom of individuals from religious intolerance … and underpins the UAE’s policy of inclusiveness”. It also showed the wisdom of the leadership in a country that was sending a message to spread peace and a culture of non- discrimination, said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development.

“Today, while we see a phenomenon wherein many societies are marred by division, spread of conflicts, fighting and destruction of homelands due to outbreaks of racial or religious discrimination, the UAE has taken measures and decisions which safeguard against all negative factors that can lead to in-fighting and discrimination,” said Sheikha Lubna, who is also head of the Committee for the Coordination of Humanitarian Foreign Aid.

The head of the Emirates Human Rights Association, Mohammed Salem Al Kaabi, said the law was an advanced, civilised step to protect the rights and dignity of citizens and residents. He said the law would punish those who incited hatred and preached destructive and intolerant ideas. Mr Al Kaabi said developed countries implemented such laws to combat discrimination and hatred and protect people from verbal or intellectual abuse.

“I think the existence of such laws is an urgent need for all countries, especially amid many messages of concern that incite racial hatred on social networking sites.” The law would also enhance social stability, he said. Dr Mohammed Matar Al Kaabi, head of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said hatred spawned “a culture of isolation that leads to racism, violence and disharmony between factions of society and discord between nations, cultures and civilisations. This is what no sane person wants”.

“No faction that chooses hate as a doctrine has a right to ruin people’s innate will to coexist, cooperate and come together.”

ABU DHABI // The law criminalising all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin was enacted yesterday. The Anti- Discriminatory Law, issued following a decree by President Sheikh Khalifa, criminalises any acts that stoke religious hatred and/or insult religion through any form of expression.

This covers speech and the written word, books, pamphlets or via online media. The law also includes provisions for punishing anyone for terming other religious groups or individuals as infidels, or unbelievers, according to state news agency Wam.

The law is intended to provide a “sound foundation for the environment of tolerance, broadmindedness 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”.

Penalties for breaches of the provisions of the law include jail terms ranging from six months to more than 10 years and fines from Dh50,000 to Dh2 million.

The law prohibits any act that would be considered as insulting God, his prophets or apostles or holy books or houses of worship or graveyards. It also has provisions to fight discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of religion, caste, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin. The law condemns actions that would comprise hate speech or the promotion of discrimination or violence against others using any form of media, including online, print, radio or visual media.

Wam reported: “Strict action will be taken against any form of expressions of hatred or in- citement 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.”

Penalties for breaches of the provisions of the law include jail terms ranging from six months to more than 10 years