A human rights advocate, Radha Stirling, criticised the travel advice given by Ireland to Dubai as inadequate, stating that it needs to be strengthened to ensure that visitors, especially women, are aware of the realities of interacting with the authorities in UAE. Stirling, who offered assistance to Tori Towey and her family in liaising with government officials about Towey’s charges in Dubai, warned that many westerners relocating to the UAE for job reasons underestimate the approach taken by the local police in situations of domestic violence or marital disputes.
During a discussion in XO Spaces on Friday, Stirling expressed that women need to know the risks associated with Dubai during the dissolution of a marriage. She also emphasised that individuals from various nationalities and backgrounds tend to exploit Dubai’s laws for their benefit in context of personal relationships, financial disagreements, and even car hire frauds.
She further argued that even a text message containing crude language to your spouse can lead to criminal charges in the UAE. Stirling is the founder of the Detained in Dubai legal aid group and stated that it is challenging to advise people on safe travel to Dubai. She strongly believes that the Irish Embassy’s website must strengthen their travel warnings, terming them as insufficient.
Towey, who spent over a year in Dubai, working as a flight attendant with Emirates Airlines, arrived back in Ireland on Thursday after being held in Dubai due to charges of attempted suicide and illegal alcohol consumption by UAE authorities. It emerged in the Dáil this week that the 28-year-old from Roscommon endured prolonged domestic violence and abuse since her marriage in March. During the online debate, she recounted her first experience seeking help from the authorities, during which a police officer mocked her after she reported being assaulted.
Ms Towey recounted a traumatic experience of being laughed at and ridiculed in a hurt and battered state, with a swollen forehead and a torn shirt. A fellow person showed her no sympathy, choosing instead to mock her condition with a jeering question: “did you stumble and hit your head while praying?”
Despite the glamorous façade of Dubai, the local laws and customs often present challenges for foreign residents. Following an attempt to take her own life, Ms Towey described being taken to the police station rather than a hospital, despite only receiving quick paramedic attention at home. She recalls a time when she was so distressed that she had to call her mother, not comprehending why she was at a police station.
Ms Towey recounts a harsh incident where she was thoroughly searched to the extent of forcefully removing her belly button ring. According to her, the officers did not communicate or provide any explanation for what was happening.
She was eventually led to a passage with isolated cells and floor mattresses, where she spent a night. She found herself amid women from various nations including, amongst others, Nigeria, the Philippines, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and India.
Ms Towey expressed her beliefs about a class system in Dubai, where one’s national origin seems to dictate their treatment. This, she suspects, might be why she was let go earlier than others, due to her nationality.
Upon closure of the case involving Ms Towey, the Dubai government issued a statement. They mentioned that she and her South African husband were implicated in a mutual assault case dating back to May 2024. The authorities further decided to annul the attempted suicide charges against her, understanding the situation and hoping for her return to normality.