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The Middle Eastern nation prohibits photography in locations such as military zones, courts, and some palaces...
Photography laws every traveler must know to avoid jail in the UAE
In November 2014, Robert Alan Black was released after nearly a month of imprisonment in Al Wathba prison (UAE). According to Robert's friends, the American tourist was arrested for taking photos in a restricted area. Later, the court ruled that he had no malicious intent and imposed a fine of 500 Dh, the minimum penalty (over 3.1 million VND).
Therefore, lawyer Yousef Al Bahar advises foreign visitors to research books, legal websites to understand the regulations on photography in UAE before embarking on their journey.
Imraan Dudhia, a photographer in Dubai, suggests that photographers should be aware of restricted areas such as military zones, courts, government buildings, certain bridges...
“I have never faced any serious issues and have been taking photos here for many years. However, you must be cautious, have cultural awareness, and sensitivity,” said Mr. Dudhia.
Additionally, foreign visitors need permission to photograph others. “In quiet and remote areas in the outskirts of Dubai, people particularly enjoy being photographed or seeing someone with a camera wandering around. But the opposite can happen entirely, with villagers approaching politely and asking you to leave,” explained Dudhia.
In reality, many individuals have been convicted for taking photos in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In a 2011 trial, the legality of photography at the Yas Marina Circuit F1 race track was questioned after two Bangladeshi residents were accused of illegal photography here.
In 2012, three other men also faced charges of unauthorized photography at the Qatar Embassy in the UAE, while claiming to be taking photos of the Capital Gate skyscraper. Another man was convicted of illegally photographing the military headquarters near the palace of Sheikh Zayed. However, he argued that he was photographing the palace and not paying attention to the nearby military zone. He had to pay a fine of 300 Dh (over 1.8 million VND).
Alison Couper, a representative of a travel website, encourages travelers to be knowledgeable about cultural differences and behave courteously. “In Dubai, tourists need to be aware of laws regarding alcohol consumption, display of affection in public to avoid causing discomfort or legal trouble,” said Ms. Couper.
Furthermore, what you eat while traveling is also something to be mindful of. A Swiss man was sentenced to 4 years in prison by a Dubai court for carrying three poppy seeds. This type of seed is considered a controlled substance in Dubai. According to his testimony, the poppy seeds ended up in his luggage when he ate a sandwich containing them at Heathrow Airport in London, UK.
Source: Bảo Ngọc/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourApril 22, 2019
