I know, I know. Worse things happen in our own Islamic Republic. But this story bugged the hell out of me.
Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the brother of the UAE president, has been declared innocent of charges that he repeatedly beat a business associate and ran him over with a car. See video below:
It is not unusual for rich, influential people get away with atrocities or corruption. It happens a lot in almost every country. But here’s the difference: It happens a lot less in democratic countries with an independent judiciary.
The UAE has spent a fortune trying to become a modern center of commerce. But you cannot just look modern and hide your lack of democratic principles behind a strip of skyscrapers.
Who cares about the world’s tallest building in Dubai if the country does not have a free press, if people don’t enjoy most basic rights, if the government is based on an ancient tribal system, where those with ties to the royal family get away with such heinous crimes? Even when the whole world has watched it on YouTube?
Money does not buy civility. Dubai and the rest the UAE will remain in the dark ages as long as long as their rulers continue to run their country like an exclusive boys club.
And before I forget, please don’t start any racist discussions. Authoritarian regimes come in all colors.
