Exit ban on a victim of sexual abuse in the United Arab Emirates
WRITTEN QUESTION
Submission: To the Commission
22 January 2003
Subject: Exit ban on a victim of sexual abuse in the United Arab Emirates
According to information from the French press, the authorities of the United Arab Emirates have imposed an exit ban on Mrs. Touria Tiouli, a French national, since October 15, 2002. The UAE authorities have charged her with engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage, a crime punishable by at least 6 months in prison, following her own complaint to the country’s police that she was the victim of sexual assault by three UAE nationals.
The Committee is asked whether it intends to exert pressure, alongside the efforts made by the French government, on the Government of the United Arab Emirates in order to have the imprisoned woman released and to ensure that her rapists are punished, while reminding that the protection of women’s rights, particularly the fight against sexual violence, is a fundamental value of the European Union.