Recently, the story of a Norwegian woman who reported being raped while on a business trip in Dubai and was subsequently charged and convicted with sex outside of marriage and consumption of alcohol exploded onto the international news outlets. After condemnation by Human Rights groups, the international community and months of discussions between Norway and the UAE, the Norwegian woman was pardoned (as was the perpetrator) and she was free to leave the country. (You can read about it here.)
Despite being known for luxury hotels, shopping and tax free wages, United Arab Emirates has been harshly criticized for its strict compliance with Islamic laws, particularly against women. In fact, this wasn't the first case of foreign victims of rape being convicted of subsequent charges.
As I watched the story unfold here in Norway I debated whether it had changed my perspectives on the country. Would I still visit the UAE, given the opportunity, knowing my rights were largely minimized?
Of course, the United Arab Emirates isn't the only country with a blemished history of injustice. In fact, I think if we dug hard enough, we could find things we didn't like about every nation. Unsafe working conditions for locals, dictatorship, child trafficking, racial segregation, religious differences, legalized prostitution, marriage inequality, corrupt government all to varying degrees in varying locations but when do we draw the line? When do we strike a country from a travel list due to our own moral objections?
It's not cut and dry is it? Each of us have our own hierarchy of ethics - some we can tolerate, others we can't. Many of us make small choices daily in accord of our beliefs - buying locally grown, organic produce to curb a carbon footprint and minimize chemical use, reading labels on clothing to avoid brands and locations known to use sweatshops, adopting rescued animals in hopes to quell the puppy mill industry. Just last week I read an article about bars in Western Canada boycotting Russian vodka due to their anti-gay laws. Our choices might be drops in the ocean but we take the stance and hope that collectively, our voices make a difference.
Do these choices flood into travel? Of course, in the exhibits we visit and the organizations we choose to avoid. But, when our ethical stakes are higher, do we take a stronger standpoint? Is it when it jeopardizes our own personal safety? Do we set a boundary - 'when x, y & z change, I'll support the country?' Do we risk missing out on valuable cultural experiences, as different and sometimes frightening as they may be, to be a drop in the ocean?
What do you think?
this is so tricky. I had a friend fly to Jerusalem during all the riots and bombing. She was just fine. She is single. But, as a mother I would have never gone. I couldn't put myself at risk knowing I have such an important responsibility at home. If I was single it might be different. I'd love to see all these places and I'm sure if you go with the right tour group they help you keep all these important laws. I'd love to go, but not with young children. Not at this time in my life.
ReplyDeleteRisk certainly plays a large part in a lot of travel decisions many of us make and while I try not to let fear determine everything (I'd have never seen South Africa if I listened to all of the horror stories) it's definitely something to consider.
DeleteWhat a thought-provoking post. Thank you for sharing your perspective. This is an extremely complicated topic, and after mulling it over a while, I think my stance is this: I couldn't travel to a country which I fundamentally disagreed with. Experiencing a culture is the most important part to me on any trip and I would hate (sorry to use such a strong word) to feel a sense of elitism in the process because I was more "right" in my beliefs and customs. It's unfortunate because I truly cannot go everywhere with such a self-inflicted rule... but maybe someday. My biggest comfort, perhaps, is that I actually can't afford to travel so extensively at this point :) so it's not merely my morals that's keeping me.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a really honest answer, Danielle and I'm sure there are quite a few people in the same boat. I do find some value in experiencing different cultures because even though we may think we don't agree with any of it, we might unexpectedly find something we value. And if that fails, we certainly appreciate our own more at the end of it!
DeleteGood point! I find that most cultural differences do not threaten my morals so thankfully it hasn't kept my travels too contained :)
Deletethis is such a good point and something we definitely have to take into consideration. for me personally, it would flood into my decisions if it directly put me into danger. it's one reason why i nixed my husband's idea of living and teaching in that area, but would i visit? possibly. because as many bad things as there can be about a country, things that we don't agree with, there is still good in every single country and i choose to try to see those things when i travel. we can recognize the bad, the in-just, and corrupt, but don't let that stand in our way and let it cloud what good there still is. excellent post jay! i loved hearing your side of this!
ReplyDeleteI love this response, Chelsea and it sort of mirrors my own personal thoughts on the topic. While there are a couple of places that are a bit too extreme for me, I'd hate to miss out on the good a country has to offer, not to mention the valuable learning that takes place when we're outside of our comfort zone.
DeleteAnd certainly - moving to and visiting are very, very different things!
very, very interesting read jay...and it really made me think!
ReplyDeleteafter all of the drama and hype over the rape case in dubai, i honestly have zero desire to visit the UAE. but the 95% of that is from my feeling that it is void of culture and not so much the incident that happened...that just took it over the top. i always said id never pay to go there, but if for some reason i ended up there on a long layover, id certainly take the time to explore the city...but im not so sure anymore.
while i have those feelings against the UAE now, i really hope they change for the better in the future. there are not many nations id boycott, truthfully. and just like you mentioned, there are things we dislike or like about EVERY nation. i wont boycott russia due to the homophobic government. while i strongly disagree with that stance and ignorant effort to ostracize people based on sexuality, i know that some nations take a slower progress when getting to the good of mankind. and most all russians ive met are not only homophobic, but also very racist. i cant blame them, but hope to educate them so that it doesnt pass along to the next generation.. it's not as diverse of a land as what we come from by any means!
there are many rules i disagree w/ in the US, but fortunately, it's a pretty progressive nation (the only people i know that dont agree w/ gay marriage are age 50+) and the people own the government, not the other way around, so i feel comfortable in knowing what the majority vote or want will eventually come to light. but i still strongly disagree with it and will fight in the meantime. in norway, i think some of the taxing laws are unethical. in canada, i strongly disagree w/ the arctic animal hunting laws (or lack of). doesnt mean i wont travel to any of these places (obviously i live in one!) but it just shows me how diverse nations and people are and that i hold such a small place in the world :)
i really hope that others realize that sometimes differences are just that...differences. it doesnt mean one nation is right and one is wrong. the problem i have with UAE now is that they are deceiving and manipulative with their laws. consumption of alcohol is illegal but they sell alcohol? promoting western type tourism but still enforcing laws from the caveman times? it just seems so primitive and useless... and there are too many other enticing places in the world id prefer to visit over a city with no culture or respect for those who visit it.
ok ive rambled enough ;) great post!!! i really enjoyed it a lot!
I stand with you on the UAE - it sort of sits with Vegas on my list of places I'd like to visit. I'm sure it's something to see but it's a little too 'constructed' for my tastes. But, that being said, if Joe was sent for business there and I could tag along, I'd probably go just to see for myself. (Business in the UAE that is - I doubt he'd get sent to Vegas for business!)
DeleteBut you're right - there are many things I don't agree with in a lot of countries, my own included, and I definitely don't boycott them completely over it. And differences are differences and while we'll have our own preferences, it doesn't mean that anything that doesn't align with them are wrong! But I still do wonder for myself if there ever will be a time that I draw the line? It's happened when it comes to expat assignments but living and visiting are totally different ballgames!
i dont blame you if you were to tag along with him on a work assignment :) id probably do the same to be honest LOL.
Deletei kind of encountered a similar issue when looking to volunteer with an organization in rwanda this fall (im going to the US and central america instead since my grandfather isnt doing so well)... the organization itself was great, but a lot of the activities in rwanda (ie: gorilla trekking) kind of scared me because i didnt want to join in on something that was just pocket money for a corrupt govt. i know that rwanda nowadays tends to be a little better than some of its neighbors, but it still was a little research i would have had to conduct. i guess after realizing all of the research i would have had to do, i kind of lost interest in the whole thing and booked to go elsewhere. im really strange about that...probably just as strange as about how obsessed i am with eating organic and local foods (which in norway, is a monumental challenge within itself! this country imports so much as you know too!) im sure we all have our quirks and do our part to hopefully make the world as we hope to see it <3
hope you're having a great week!!!
My time in Africa really, really opened my eyes to so many things which have most definitely affected the way I travel. I don't blame you for losing interest in the process!
DeleteEnjoy your week as well :)
This is such a great post Jay, and something that I've thought about frequently. From a personal standpoint, it is less about safety (I tend to enjoy less stable destinations, as you may have noticed ;) and more about whether I'm willing to support a government that commits human rights atrocities. When I was in Burma, this was a huge thing for me. On the one hand, it was a wonderful trip and an incredible learning experience, but without a doubt some of my money went into the hands of the military dictatorship. As you said, everyone has an ethical hierarchy and I think for me, when I do visit places like the UAE, I try to spend money in locally owned restaurants, etc, rather than places that are tied to big business and the government. But, for sure, there is no clear cut answer. It's an intriguing debate :)
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Jenna
Love this, Jenna! It takes a bit of work, doesn't it, but it certainly feels much better when we're comfortable supporting those who have earned it.
DeleteIt is a fine line, but I also think that we must always remember where we are when traveling to some of those places. I grew up in the Middle East, so I know that there are very strict laws against women there and it's very important to be aware and ready for those should anything happen. It's also very important I think as women traveling to be cautious and aware of surroundings when we travel to places, actually everywhere because truthfully, anything can happen anywhere. As for the charges and such, I think that's a travesty and while we are still ages further in the Middle East than we used to be in terms of changing those laws, unfortunately, women still don't have the freedoms there like we do and the laws that protect them. Which is even more for us to remain vigilant and be prepared for anything when traveling there.
ReplyDeleteYou're right - it's unfortunate that women continue to be treated differently and without many freedoms all over the world and it's sad that we need to remind ourselves to be careful. I still sit on the fence in regards to moving to a country where my rights would be minimized. While I know many do and enjoy their time, I'm not sure I'd be ok being treated at a lower standard than I (we) deserve.
Deletei would agree almost verbatim with jenna above. just like i choose to support certain companies or producers by spending my money with them instead of competitors, even if i had a prior interest in visiting a country, i couldn't even think about it after hearing about things like this. it's sickening. i guess i'm one of those who thinks it really does matter where we go with our tourism dollars, even if it's just one person. as you said, it might be a drop in the ocean but it's gotta count for something, somehow.
ReplyDeleteIt is sickening and eye opening. I suppose being aware of who and what we are supporting is the first step to take.
DeleteA great post; as a fan of modern architecture, I was hoping to explore Dubai next year, but the disgusting treatment of Marte Deborah Dalelv makes me very nervous. I don't want to be in a situation in any country where I am more scared of the authorities than the criminals.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of work with Amnesty International and for many years I refused to visit Egypt because of the human rights violations there, but I then listened to a really interesting interview with Egyptians that said by NOT visiting, we are hurting the local people more, as many people rely on the income that they receive from tourists.
That makes sense Michelle and I'm often wondering who we're punishing when we choose such actions. This is such a complicated issue with so many different facets and a lot of grey area.
DeleteVery thought provoking post. Personally there is a very short list of countries that I have no desire to ever see due to various reasons. UAE is not on that list but it has never been on my list of places to see.
ReplyDeleteI do try to think ethically when I travel but that has more to do with ensuring my money goes to local business when I am in country. Not sure I would completely boycott a country though.
My list of places I have no desire to visit is quite short as well and often those places relate to safety and their current instability. Keeping an eye on what (and whom) we choose to support when travelling is really important but often difficult to gage.
Deletejay this is so amazingly well written. for starters i had no idea about that situation going on. but you bring up such a good point about not traveling somewhere because it conflicts with you moral. honestly the only reason i have ever thought of not traveling somewhere is because of my own personal safety (selfish). But its such an important topic and point to bring up because tourism is a huge income for countries and just like the other small things we do to try to help our environment, country and world, boycotting a country as a tourist is definitely something we can do to help or at least make a small impact.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words Nicole!
DeleteConcern for personal safety isn't selfish at all and often times, places that have a record of unsafe conditions also have a lot of underlying issues. But, making informed and educated decisions about where we support is also important!
This is such an amazing post Jay! Clearly very though provoking for a lot us, especially those of us who have spent time traveling or living in countries foreign to our own. For me it came down to desire; did I have a desire to see certain places or not. I had a desire to go to the red light district in amsterdam, at night. So i went. But i have never had a desire to go to the UAE. Now i guess the bigger question is what fuels my desire? Have i never wanted to go to the UAE because of their culture and belief systems? I'm not sure. I don't think a difference in beliefs would sway me, but more how those beliefs end up affecting me personally if I chose to put myself in the center of it. I agree with Nicole ^ in that the only reason i have never visited a certain country was not because it conflicted with my moral or political beliefs, but because it put myself or someone else at risk. I just don't think it is worth putting yourself in harms way because you want to see a country.
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan - that means a lot coming from you!
DeleteThere certainly is value in seeing and experiencing things outside of our comfort zone but I have to agree - there's only so much risk I'm willing to take to see a country. But, I say that yet I stayed in Gabon through some scary times and when I really didn't agree or feel comfortable with a lot of things there. I certainly did learn a lot from that experience though and I won't discredit it!
My husband sent this article to me moments after we discussed a possible move to Dubai in the next couple of years - if his job requires it. Brandon is no longer interested in traveling there and now I'm unsure. I always think about safety before booking a trip but bad things could happen anywhere; it's just disgusting that they're treating this woman so poorly.
ReplyDeleteThere's a strong possibility that the Middle East will come up in our career as expats and I'm pretty undecided as to if I'd be willing to go knowing my rights as a woman are so limited. Obviously, there are some really great things to experience there yet it's hard to support countries that are not supportive of our rights.
DeleteVery thought provoking post. I've actually been thinking about this issue a lot lately, as I'll be travelling through Abu Dhabi on a long layover and am debating on how to spend my time. Yes, you can find the horrific in every culture - but when does that weigh more heavily on our travel choices than witnessing the good? On the one hand, during my layover I want to get out and see the culture of Abu Dhabi (even if that means a bunch of soulless strip malls and chain restaurants) and I would like to get out to Al-Ain to try and see more of Emirati culture - particularly the elements that aren't just related to (offensive, archaic) gender roles. On the other hand, the UAE does have these riotously medieval laws concerning women - and I have to consider how a visit would support, even if indirectly, this system. For a question like this, it comes down mostly to tourism dollars. If I shut myself away in the airport all day and refuse to visit the city outside in protest, then isn't the money I spend there (because I will need to eat) just going to the government who both enforces these laws and owns the airport? Is it then better to get outside, and be conscious of where the money I spend will go? And isn't it better to get outside, if I have to be there anyways, and try and speak to people directly, maybe get in contact with women in whatever way possible? I've been looking into women's centres or community projects to visit in just a day in Abu Dhabi, instead of going to government run attractions or sites (ug), but I really don't know what I'll find. If I have to be there, it's better those projects than going to a mall, at least.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Naomi - it's quite a hard decision to make and making the ethical choice requires a lot of work and research. It's certainly not impossible but it requires one to be organized and aware and I can understand why many just avoid it altogether.
DeleteThanks for contributing to the discussion!
Such a tough subject Jay and very eloquently tackled. I don't know how to tackle it myself and have more or less resigned myself to going if I'm given the opportunity, but pretty sure I wouldn't choose it as a first destination... I have a friend from Chicago who regularly has to travel to Saudi Arabia for conferences she organises. She is the Director of her office in Brussels, responsible overall for the success of massive events all over the world and, as it happens, generally amazing at her job. But once she arrives in Saudi, she couldn't sit with her male colleagues and counterparts in the hotel restaurant to plan the next day's activities without one of the locals "claiming" that she was family. I'd imagine it is hard to "direct" when you feel like you have little authority or freedom to do actually so...based only on your gender. Hard for me to grapple with in any kind of rational way - especially having gone to an all-girls school and being taught I could do whatever I set my mind to.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that to be a very difficult and frustrating situation for your friend and certainly hard for me to grapple as well.
DeleteA great post Jay about a topic that people either shy away from or don't take the time to consider before travelling to some places. Thought I wouldn't choose some places as a primary destination (due to their safety or human rights record, treatment of women/children/marginalized groups, overt corrupt and injust practices, etc.) i think it's such a shame to have to limit travel because of incidences that 'don't always' (and those are the key words: don't always) define a nation. That said, I'll admit that I have 3 or 4 countries on my "no-fly" list that I'm avoiding (at the moment at least) as I feel my tourist dollars will only support the structures/rhetoric that keeps outdated ideals/mindsets and values in place. It's may be an infinitesimal drop in the ocean, I know, but it's my drop so I get to choose where it goes.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's where the whole notion of "choosing your battles" comes in, because at the end of the day the personal and the political are so intertwined that rudimentary purchases (e.g. tickets with a certain airline, bookings with a certain hotel, buying any kind of cell phone or computer) are doing harm to someone. Somewhere. I do think though (as Jess and Naomi have alluded above) that if I have an opportunity to travel to a certain country, it would be a crying shame to NOT take advantage of it regardless of the issues at stake. In such situations I'll try to get the best out of the experience by doing research beforehand and finding networks, organizations or groups I can contact and meet with on the ground and *hopefully* channel my money with more awareness.
I loved this comment and stance, JoAnna and I couldn't have said it better myself.
DeleteIt's something I consider when deciding on trips but so far, I've not not gone anywhere for ethical reasons. I remember an acquaintance being distraught and not talking to me the rest of my time in London after hearing I was going to Uganda because of how they treat gay men there (him being a gay man). I'm naive at times, maybe even selfish because whilst I didn't think I condoned it, he does. I still went to Uganda and don't regret it.
ReplyDeleteEqually, in the UAE (great at the end of a couple of months roughing it in Africa but for sure surreal) I had the ability to meet up with a male mate (and ex lover) but didn't. It just didn't seem worth it to me (even though nothing physical would have eventuated at that point in our lives.
So, I think about things, but thus far, have been comfortable travelling where I like.
Great post and really needed! I always consider the ethics of each country before I make decisions to travel but at the same time, I'm aware of the positives as well and always try to keep them in mind. Safety is #1 to me since I'm a solo female traveler so I try to always make the best decisions in any country I am in. I won't judge a country based on what is happening but it does make me more aware of my surroundings when I do step out of the airport.
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