The Message of Dubai's Ruler to UAE's Youth

In his latest tweets, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighted the role played by Emirati youth in UAE’s development and said that the UAE formula of development is based on core values, led by youth and focused on a future in which everyone achieves happiness.

The mottos His Highness brought forward are indeed very compelling and will hopefully spread chirpy energy and good motivation. However, it would have been even better from His Highness to fathom the fact that these core values should also encompass the goal to achieve an independent judiciary that respects democracy and gives justice to people within a respectful environment that allows fair trials.

The youth need, now more than before, to feel safe and know that they can express their opinions freely without fearing that this might lead them to jail. 

For instance, Osama Al-Najjar, one of UAE 's youth, was unfairly convicted after tweeting about the ill-treatment of his father, who is also serving a prison sentence because of his advocacy for reform. 

Actions surely speak louder than words. His Highness words should definitely include more actions towards the well-being of his youth. Less restrictive and oppressive cybercrime laws would be a great start.