Raped woman imprisoned in the UAE

Aljazeera reported that a Norwegian woman who became a victim of rape was sentenced to 16-month imprisonment in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Aljazeera: Expat appeals UAE sentence after rape charge

She visited Dubai on a business trip and was victimized. After the incident, she called for police, but she was charged with having extra-marital sex, consuming alcohol without a license, and perjury. The man who raped her was sentenced to 13-month imprisonment by out-of-wedlock sex and alcohol consumption.

It seems a ridiculous story, but similar cases often occurred in the UAE, according to right groups in the UK.

The root of this problem is the atmosphere of discriminating women in Islamic countries. Islamic rules strongly prohibit women from touching men. In some countries, women have to go abroad to call for medical care because a male physician cannot exam the body of a woman. Sexual taboo is adopted much more for women than for men.

Religious background should be respected. However, it is no good that some kinds of people are harassed based on religious precepts. Every religion is to give pupils happiness, not to torment.

Indeed, some Islamic countries began to change the laws to free women from inconvenient rules. But, some conservative people are opposed to this movement.

Now the Norwegian woman was sheltered at the Norwegian Seamen’s Center in central Dubai. She has already appealed against the ruling by a Dubai court.
It is fortunate that a Christian group is caring her. In contrast, it is ironic that many Christians do not allow same sex marriage. But recently the opinion against this issue is controversial among the Christians.

The difference of legal systems between countries also makes the problem complicated. In the UAE, proof of rape requires either the confession from the perpetrator or 4 witnesses of adult males. I feel it is almost impossible to prove the rape for the victim.
This situation contrasts with that rape is broadly defined in Northern Europe. Mr. Julian Assange was prosecuted in Sweden for rape because he did not use a condom.
In Japan, rape is hard to be proved. Most victims hesitate speaking about the case in a trial. In contrast, gropers are quite easy to be arrested. Some cases of false charge are reported recently.

More or less, globalization will make this kind of conflict come to the surface. We must argue more rationally. And we have to seek the answer which is acceptable for all of us.