Upload a Spoof Video, Go To Jail (In Dubai)

Taco Cowboy writes with news, as reported by the BBC, that eight people have been imprisoned in Dubai for creating a spoof video about youth culture in that country, for which they were accused of acting "with the intent of inciting to actions, or publishing or disseminating any information, news, caricatures, or other images liable to endanger state security and its higher interests or infringe on the public order." "The video, posted to YouTube, was a gentle satire on young men in the Satwa residential suburb of Dubai who adopt a 'gangsta' pose despite living the sedate, prosperous lifestyle more usually associated with Dubai residents."

Re:It reminds me of the US

[AK Marc]

Having moved out of the US, I'm surprised at the lack of punishment for criminals. In the US, a criminal conviction is often a lifetime sentence, jobs, houses, and such are harder to come by. But in other parts of the globe, a prison sentence is "time served" and when you are out, you are treated like a regular person, so long as the criminal conviction isn't about something you are trying to do (i.e. a conviction for sexual assault of a minor or whatever will hurt your chances of being an elementary school teacher, but probably not a university teacher, and fraud conviction will hurt your chances of being CFO, but probably not COO).

So don't generalize the US "a criminal conviction is a life-long sentence" attitude to the rest of the world. It might not apply.

The UAE is not an open society

[bunyip]

Don't ever confuse Dubai with an open and modern society. It's a monarchy that needs to hold onto power and does not toerate criticism or free speech of any kind. They walk a fine line between the glamour of business, yet holding onto traditional values and conservatism.

It's also illegal to kiss in public, even for a married couple. People have been arrested, imprisoned and deported for such indecency.