Irish people in Dubai warned to be careful over online posts

Under the country’s state security and cybercrime laws, penalties for breaches can include fines of up to €65,000, imprisonment, and travel bans

Tourists at the Dubai Fountain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday. Picture: Fatima Shbair/AP

An advocacy group has warned residents and visitors in the United Arab Emirates that posting, reposting, or commenting online about the ongoing regional conflict could expose them to prosecution under the country’s cybercrime laws.

Detained in Dubai said the legislation was broadly framed and could be “enforced rapidly”, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.

Penalties for breaches can include fines of up to €65,000, imprisonment, and travel bans.

Foreign nationals, including visitors and tourists, may be particularly vulnerable, with even the sharing of third-party footage or commentary on social media potentially leading to detention, said the group.

Founded in 2008 by legal advocate Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai campaigns on behalf of expatriates and tourists, who it says have faced judicial abuses in the UAE and wider Gulf region.

Ms Stirling has consistently argued expatriates often underestimate the reach and application of local cybercrime and state security laws.

Justice minister Helen McEntee has urged Irish citizens in the UAE to be fully aware of local legislation and to act in accordance with it, while emphasising consular support is available to those who encounter difficulties.

She has encouraged Irish people to consult official travel advice and to exercise judgement when engaging online, particularly on sensitive geopolitical issues.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also addressed the issue of Irish citizens abroad, stressing the importance of respecting the laws of host countries, while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to supporting Irish communities overseas.

Mr Martin noted the strong economic and diplomatic ties between Ireland and the UAE, and said the  majority of Irish citizens living there do so without incident.

However, he also underlined that freedom of expression, while a fundamental value in Ireland, is shaped by different legal frameworks internationally.

Irish citizens travelling or residing abroad, he said, must remain conscious of those differences and the potential legal consequences of their actions.