Violence by police in Abu Dhabi: "Due to my marriage to a woman"
Abu Dhabi: A Nightmare for Same-Sex Couples on Their Anniversary
A happily anticipated holiday trip for a second wedding anniversary resulted in a harrowing experience for a 34-year-old architect and her wife, hailing from the northeastern region of Austria. In an effort to prevent others from facing similar ordeals, the couple, whose identities have been concealed, shared their account of last weekend's events in Abu Dhabi.
Upon arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport past 9:30 PM, passport control and baggage claim were uneventful. However, when the woman, identified as Raphaela S., went ahead to meet their hotel, her wife, Marie, was left waiting at the baggage claim area for her luggage. When Marie arrived, Raphaela was nowhere to be found.
Marie made several attempts to contact her wife and, growing concerned, headed to their hotel, assuming that Raphaela had already checked-in. Meanwhile, Raphaela was being detained by authorities at the airport.
Accounts shared by Raphaela reveal that she was forcibly taken into police custody, subjected to physical violence, and tied up for several hours. Repeated queries about the whereabouts of her passport and mobile phone were met with no explanations. Unbeknownst to her, her phone, which the authorities already had, was being used by the police to contact her wife at the hotel. Upon learning that her wife had Raphaela’s passport, she was instructed to bring it to the airport to secure her release.
When Marie complied, she too became a victim, allegedly facing sexual harassment and a punch in the face from a civilian officer. She returned to the hotel alone, leaving Raphaela behind.
After a prolonged detention of over 15 hours, Raphaela was offered a deal for her release. In exchange for approximately 1,000 euros and numerous signatures, she was freed. The contents of the Arabic documents she signed remain unclear.
Finally, on Saturday afternoon, Raphaela was released and made her way to the hotel, where they sought assistance from the Austrian embassy and documented Raphaela’s injuries. A return flight the following day to Vienna was arranged to help her recover.
Raphaela sustained several injuries, including a black eye, a laceration above her right eye, and numerous contusions. She also experienced psychological trauma, citing sleepless nights and seeking psychological support. Additionally, the financial cost of the expedition amounts to more than 6,000 euros, consisting of the unused vacation expenditures, a "security deposit," and additional costs for the return flight and taxi rides.
While it remains uncertain whether compensation will be made for the distressing ordeal, the couple's primary concern is to spread awareness regarding the risks faced by same-sex couples in Abu Dhabi, advising others and urging for justice. Pursuing legal action against the UAE’s authorities seems challenging due to their strict laws against homosexuality, which can result in imprisonment and even the death penalty.
In a statement, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they provided the couple with the necessary support, including immediate contact with a trusted doctor, arranging their swift departure, and providing the contact details of a trusted lawyer. Travelers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the laws, customs, and practices of their destination country before traveling, specific to the United Arab Emirates.
The harrowing experience in Abu Dhabi extended beyond just the couple, as they called for general-news coverage and public awareness about the lifestyle challenges faced by same-sex couples. Despite their traumatic ordeal, they are still contemplating travel in the future, as their love for exploration hasn't waned, but their choice of destinations may be influenced by crime-and-justice concerns.
