How do you report incidents of discrimination in the UAE?

Are you working in the UAE and facing discrimination? Or do you find someone having a hard time being bullied or treated unfairly based on race, gender, religion, or nationality? If so, it’s highly important to voice out and report such incidents to the government authorities.

The UAE government has taken several measures and established various channels to handle such cases so that everyone has access to support and is treated fairly.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan introduced the Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2023 to stop discrimination, hatred, and extremism in the UAE.

This law defines important terms such as blasphemy, discrimination, hate speech, and extremism. It prohibits making or sharing any materials that promote negativity.

It has made sure that public employees and religious leaders go through tougher penalties if they break these rules. Also, the law provides some leniency for people who report these crimes before they happen.

The federal courts in the UAE will handle such cases and they will replace any conflicting parts of older laws.

But what are the laws? How to report discrimination in the UAE? Experts from Elnaggar & Partners have elaborated on the same. Let's dive in.

What are the crimes and penalties under Federal Law No. 34 of 2023?

The UAE has some strict laws that address various forms of discrimination and hate speech.

Below, we have covered the laws that include hefty penalties for offenders as per Federal Law No. 34 of 2023:

Blasphemy

This is an act of showing disrespect or making offensive statements about something sacred or holy, such as a religion, a deity, or religious figures.

If a person is found guilty, they could face imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 up to Dh2,000,000.

Discrimination 

Any discrimination based on religion, creed, sex, race, or color is highly punishable as per UAE law. Here, penalties for such offenses include imprisonment and fines between Dh500,000 and Dh1,000,000.

Exploitation of religion

We know that religion holds an important place in the UAE. However, when people or groups manipulate religious beliefs and practices for their personal gain, it can lead to severe penalties.

Hate speech

If someone is found guilty of stirring up hate or using discriminatory language, they can face serious consequences, including going to jail and paying fines ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh1,000,000.

What if a public employee or religious figure is involved in this type of discrimination?

If public employees or any kind of religious figure get involved in these crimes, the penalties are even harsher.

This means the concerned person can be sentenced to 5 years in prison with fines starting at Dh500,000.

What are the prohibited acts?

Prohibited acts are actions that are illegal or forbidden by law. So, these acts are illegal and can result in serious penalties, including detention and hefty fines.

Some of the acts include:

Manufacturing or sharing offensive materials that promote blasphemy or hate can get you in serious trouble. The accused can go to jail and pay fines ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh2,000,000.

If you use offensive materials to spread blasphemy or discrimination, you could face jail time and fines ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh200,000.

Starting or joining extremist groups can lead to severe punishment, including 7 to 10 years in prison.

If you or your company need guidance on handling discrimination cases in the UAE, get in touch with Elnaggar & Partners.

What are the steps involved in reporting discrimination?

If you are facing any discrimination in the UAE, follow the below-given steps to report it:

Step 1: Document the incident

Write a detailed statement and describe everything in detail. Most importantly, note the names and roles of the people involved, including witnesses.

Next, collect evidence. Save any physical evidence, such as letters or notes, or at least take screenshots or printouts of emails or text messages.

Step 2: Report it to the authorities

If you are dealing with any kind of discrimination, you must report it to the government authorities.

There are different ways to file complaints, such as:

• Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

If you are an employee who's facing discrimination at work and if your HR department doesn't take any strict action, you can report it to MOHRE.

You can visit the MOHRE website, use their mobile app or call their hotline at 80060.

• Police

If you are someone who's facing immediate threats or serious incidents of discrimination, go to the closest police station or call the emergency number 999.

If you aren't in a position to visit, report the discrimination through the UAE police's online portals.

• Court

You can directly file a lawsuit through judicial authorities.

• Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR)

If you work for the UAE government, you can report such issues through FAHR's online platforms.

Step 3: Follow up

After reporting, it's highly essential to track the progress of the complaint.

Final Words

If you are residing in the UAE, it's highly important for you to report discrimination because everyone must be treated fairly. To ensure this, the government has taken immense measures.

So, if you have experienced any discrimination firsthand or seen it happen to someone else, speak up. Or you can at least get a legal consultation for the same. Are you looking for any legal support?

Elnaggar & Partners provides legal services and ensures that you are protected and informed. Reach out to us today!

For any service inquiries, feel free to reach out at info@elnaggarlegal.com or book a consultation to speak with our legal experts.