Indian prisoner: “I am better off on Interpol [than in the UAE] - at least I can work”

Indians have long been a majority group in the UAE and account for a substantial portion of expat entrepreneurs. Doing business in the UAE carries risk though, due to the flexibility of the laws and the way they can be misused and abused by disgruntled associates.

We have covered the risks to Indians in our article "Risky Business for Indians in the UAE” which can be found here:

http://www.detainedindubai.org/…/Risky-Business-for-Indians…

If something doesn’t go according to plan, expats may be wrongfully placed on Interpol as a tactile way of giving advantage to the issuing party. Wrongful criminal allegations are a way of life and therefore, business in the UAE. Parties with a vested interest can open criminal accusations in order to secure their advantage for a variety of reasons. With a developing legal system that offers little protection to the victim of wrongful reports, this practice has lead to thousands of expat entrepreneurs resorting to a life “on the run”.

Knowing that the UAE legal system offers little safeguard and can be subject to prejudices and influence, expats are aware that leaving the country is often the only sensible option. In doing so however, they leave themselves vulnerable to being placed on the Interpol Red Notice database. Generally, most expats consider that an acceptable risk, in comparison to what they would face under UAE laws where it is not an obvious case of “justice will prevail” and where one is certainly not “innocent until proven guilty”.

Once an expat has left the UAE, they are open to criminal convictions in absentia and Interpol Red Notice reports. A large number of our Interpol clients are from India and are learning how to continue with their normal lives, while being considered an international “fugitive”, alongside terrorists, murderers and heavy criminals. One of our Indian clients said in a statement Ï have done nothing wrong and all the evidence is in my favour but know if I stayed in the UAE, it would have taken years to prove my innocence and how can I feed my family when I am not allowed to work during that time? I am better off on Interpol. At least I can work”.

Another Indian National said “I wish there were some international court that would hear the cases while we are protected. If there were a Tribunal, I know they would find me innocent. But I am up against a very powerful person in Abu Dhabi and I have would be thrown in jail immediately if I went back there. They wouldn’t even look at my case because of who he is”.

Discussing the impact on his living conditions once placed on Interpol, a Mumbai resident explained “I become very nervous whenever I travel. I have missed a flight because they questioned me for a few hours. At least I have been able to travel to other countries in Europe and even the States without problem, but I am always careful and make sure to go to friendly nations”.

Most Interpol subjects have prepared substantial evidence to prove that they are innocent of the charges issued in the UAE. They have provided this information to Interpol for their review and while Interpol will eventually review their application and evidence, the ultimate decision remains with them, as to whether they will cancel the notice and risk their positive relations with the UAE, or whether they will leave the notice published, even if it means treading on the human rights of an individual.

We believe there needs to be an independent body, outside of the sphere of influence, who assesses the Interpol removal applications, without having to weigh the interests of relations with any particular member state. Prioritising an allied nation’s relationship over the rights of an individual creates too much of an ethical dilemma for the Interpol body, who holds no legal accountability for human rights that their decisions violate.

Source: Detained in Dubai