Dads, we need to teach our sons about laws in other countries. It can be tough, but it’s important for them to realize that what is okay in your home country might not be okay somewhere else.
An 18-year-old British man, Marcus Fakana, is facing up to 20 years in prison in Dubai for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old British girl while they were on vacation. The incident happened in September while he was on holiday with his family.
According to Radha Stirling, a human rights advocate from the group Detained in Dubai, after Marcus returned home, the girl’s mother discovered photos and messages between the two and reported them to the police in Dubai. As a result, Marcus was arrested at his hotel.
The UK government is aware of the situation and is providing support to Marcus and his family. A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed they are in contact with his family.
Ms. Stirling, who leads Detained in Dubai, said that Marcus and his parents are very upset and unsure of what to do. His parents had to go back to London for work without him. She mentioned that this case is unique because both teens are close in age, and it is the first one involving a British citizen that her organization has highlighted.
She emphasized that there was no abuse involved and described the situation as two older teenagers who got into trouble because of the girl’s mother reporting them. Many people are outraged that something legal in the UK could lead to such a severe punishment in Dubai, which could change Marcus’s life and his family’s life forever.
Detained in Dubai has been helping foreigners since 2008 and has reached out to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is also Marcus’s Member of Parliament.
Ms. Stirling pointed out that while the UAE promotes itself as a tourist destination, it does not provide enough information about the laws that could lead to serious consequences for visitors. The FCDO does state that consensual sexual relationships are generally legal if both individuals are over 18, but anyone over 18 can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with someone under 18.
