Princess Latifa’s Videos Saying She Is A Hostage Of Her Father Should Be A Wake Up Call About Holidaying In Dubai

Friends of Princess Latifa Al Maktoum - the daughter of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who disappeared in 2018 – have called on the United Nations to help rescue her from what they say is an ongoing hostage situation. After receiving secretly-recorded videos from the princess saying she is being held against her will by her father, the videos have now stopped causing panic among her close circle.

In secret recordings now shared with BBC Panorama, Princess Latifa explains from the bathroom of a Dubai villa that she is being held against her will by armed police and fears for her life every day. She said she is being held alone without access to medical or legal help, with windows and doors barred shut and guarded. Now, 'Princess Latifa' is trending on Google alongside 'Princess Latifa mother' - Houria Ahmed Lamara, one of six wives of the Dubai ruler - and 'Princess Shamsa' - who is her sister.

Dubai and the UAE have previously said Princess Latifa is safe in the care of family.

However, the videos allege otherwise. They were taken over several months in 2019 and were recently sent to the BBC as a last resort from her friend Tiina Jauhiainen, who alongside Marcus Essabri and campaigner David Haigh, are all behind the Free Latifa campaign. BBC Panorama say they have independently verified the details of where Latifa was held when the videos where recorded.

The 35-year-old princess vanished in 2018 when she attempted to flee Dubai on a yacht. Having already attempted to flee aged 16, the Princess began planning a new escape in 2011, according to her friends. Her stepmother, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain also fled Dubai in 2019, successfully escaping with her two children.

What happened to Princess Shamsa?

Her sister, Shamsa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, also attempted an escape in July 2000, fleeing to London - however one month later she was abducted in Cambridge and taken back to Dubai. In December 2019, a UK family court ruled that —on the balance of probabilities—Sheikh Mohammed orchestrated the abductions of Latifa and Shamsa, and subjected Princess Haya to a campaign of 'intimidation' - the findings were published in March 2020.

While Sheikh Mohammed has made a popular tourism destination of Dubai, with intense wealth that attracts tons of business, women in the UAE are still discriminated against. Rape victims, for example, are at risk of punishment for other ‘crimes’ in Dubai. In 2013, one British woman who reported being raped by three men to Dubai authorities was fined AED 1000 for consuming alcohol without a license – the men are currently serving 10 years in prison. Another British woman was also charged with public intoxication and extra-marital sex (with her fiancé, not the accused) after reporting being raped. In general, the UAE’s judicial system being derived from elements of Sharia law means that it can easily be used to discriminate against women, according to Human Rights Watch.

Why did Princess Latifa run away?

Latifa alleges she was subject to abuse and house arrest at the royal palace, and over the course of seven years planned an escape with the help of Tiina, her martial arts instructor. Eight days into their boat escape, Tiina says Emirati commando’s boarded the boat, held her and Latifa at gunpoint and then forced Latifa back to Dubai. Tiina says she was detained for two weeks before being freed. She hadn’t heard from Latifa until the videos began to be sent a year later.

Mary Robinson, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and president of Ireland, has joined calls for international action to establish Latifa's current condition and whereabouts. She met Latifa in 2018 and at the time described her as a ‘troubled young woman’, however now she says she was ‘horribly tricked’ by the family. ‘I continue to be very worried about Latifa,’ she said. ‘Things have moved on. And so I think it should be investigated.’

As international calls for action increase, Princess Latifa’s case is bringing awareness to the way women can be discriminated against in Dubai – particularly since she is one of three close female relatives of Sheikh Mohammed that have attempted to escape the royal family. While Dubai has been a popular tourist destination for Brits for years, cast your eyes back to the host of influencers being there as recently as December, the human rights abuses taking place call into question how ethical it is to visit Dubai.

Because it’s not just women, federal and emirate law prohibit homosexuality and cross-dressing in the UAE, with punishment ranging from imprisonment to flogging and execution. Authorities there are constantly under scrutiny about forced disappearances and torture tactics used on activists and citizens accused of crimes alike. So, while some might think Dubai is the acceptable option when it comes to holidaying in the Middle East, it’s really not. At least, it’s not if you’re opposed to providing wealth through tourism to countries that discriminate against women, queer people and beyond.

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