Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

An expatriate woman in Abu Dhabi has been given a 5-year jail sentence and a fine of Dh500,000 for posting a video that incited hate speech. The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court this week also sentenced the woman to deportation after she completes her jail term. Her mobile phone was confiscated and her social media account was closed. She was permanently banned from using any social media or IT network. In June, the woman had posted a video on social media where she spoke abusive phrases against domestic workers and men. According to the Public Prosecution, the woman’s video “constitutes an affront to men and domestic workers, violating general customs and ethics”. The Public Prosecution ordered the woman’s arrest after her video became viral on social media. She was charged of inciting hate speech, which is against the UAE’s anti-discrimination law. Under the UAE law, it is illegal to commit any act involving hate speech by any means of expression, with violators facing a jail term of not less than five years and a fine of between Dh500,000 and Dh1 million. The UAE’s federal decree law also criminalises any form of discrimination on religion, caste, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page