ATikTokerexposed thedark sideof living inDubai,United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a “dystopian hell.” The executive director of ahuman rightsorganization has since reacted to the influencer’s now-viral video, highlighting gender violence and the danger that comes with trying to defend victims.
HighlightsA TikToker named ‘Anna’ described living in Dubai as a ‘dystopian hell’ in a now-viral video.Anna highlighted issues such as gender violence, poor treatment of immigrants, and fake nature in Dubai.The video has sparked divided opinions, with some praising Dubai’s safety and others agreeing with Anna’s criticisms.Khalid Ibrahim from the Gulf Centre for Human Rights supported Anna’s claims, citing massive human rights violations.Cases like that of flight attendant Tori Towey underscore ongoing gender discrimination and legal challenges for women in Dubai.
In the slideshow, which has amassed over 620,000 views, the first picture showed Anna seemingly posing on a bridge in the Emirati city, with a text that read: “If you asked me aboutDubai.”
The second photograph displayed Anna sitting at what appeared to be anEmiratitraditional dinner table, with a text stating: “I’d say I hated it.”
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A TikToker exposed the dark side of living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Image credits:Nextvoyage/Pexels
The slideshow then showed a snap of Anna petting acamelin the dessert, with the following caption: “Her petting a camel in the desert.”
The last picture showcased a skyscraper at night time, with a text denouncing: “I’d say it’s the worst place I’ve ever lived.”
Anna added: “I’ll never forget the image of people ordering gold-covered steaks while immigrants worked in 43C heat right outside the window.
“Walking 3 hours without seeing one piece of nature that didn’t seem fake, even the beaches and waves was artificial as some sort ofdystopianhell.
“Animals, women, immigrants, and everybody else except rich men are treated like objects. Literal hell.”
Image credits:danish.girl.anna
Anna finally wrote in the caption: “The way i’m never going back.”
The slideshow ignited divided opinions, as a TikTok user asked: “Only Westerners complain about it, best part of Dubai is its safety, can you say the same aboutEurope/ America?”
A person commented: “It tells so much about a person when they say ‘Dubai is so amazing’.”
She described it as a “dystopian hell”
Someone else penned: “This might be the best video about Dubai I’ve ever seen.”
A viewer shared: “I live in Dubai, what Dubai are you talking about it’s literally the safest country in the world.
“I can leave my car unlocked with my bag on the roof go about my day and it’s still there hours later.”
Nevertheless, Anna replied: “Except as a woman you are adviced to never press charges if a man [sexually assaults] you, because according to their laws you can end up charged yourself for s3x outsidemarriage. Really safe”.
Consensual sexual relationships between adults outside of marriage are generally legal in the UAE,At Alketbiexplains.
“[I’m] so glad to see more people acknowledging this about Dubai,” a netizen added. “Money can’t buy basic humanity.”
The executive director of a human rights organization has since reacted to the influencer’s now-viral video
An observer noted: “Girl [New York City] is the exact same if not even worse.”
Dubai has gained notoriety as a controversial city due to its history of human rights violations, including labor exploitation of migrant workers, who often face poor living conditions and low wages, as well as strict laws limiting freedom of speech andLGBTQ+rights.
“The UAE ranks among the worst countries in term of human rights,” Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director for Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GC4HR), toldBored Pandain an email.
Khalid further shared: “There is [not] even one single human rights defender. The last one was my colleague, member of the GCHR Board, Ahmed Mansoor, who was detained since 20 March 2017, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and placed in solitary confinement until now.”
The human rights advocate concluded: “I agree about what [Anna] said in term of massive human rights violations, including women’s rights.”
The human rights advocate highlighted gender violence and the danger that comes with trying to defend victims
In the UAE, victims of rape risk being charged with “illicit sex,” which can lead to imprisonment or flogging, as seen in the 2010 case of an Emirati woman sentenced to jail after reporting her gang rape, as per the United Nations’PeaceWomen.
Despite some legal reforms, Emirati laws still discriminate against women, particularly in areas like personal status and domestic violence, leaving many without adequate legal protection or recourse,Human Rights Watchstated in 2021.
In a more recent gender-biased case, United Arab Emirates flight attendantTori Towey, from Ireland, was detained in Dubaiafter being charged with attempting to end her life amid ongoing domestic abuse.
As small amounts of alcohol had been found in her system, Tori was reportedly charged with alcohol abuse, in addition with “attempted suicide.”
Bored Pandahas contacted Anna for comment.
Anna’s TikTok video continued to spark various reactions
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