‘Travel warnings for Irish going to Dubai need to be increased,’ says lawyer who sparked Tori Towey campaign for freedom

“Tori’s case highlights what are very real risks for people travelling to Dubai,” Radha Stirling, CEO of campaign group Detained in Dubai told the Irish Independent.

“I know there is a huge Irish ex-pat community in Dubai and that it is a popular destination for young people. I think the travel warnings on the Irish embassy website aren’t strong enough. I absolutely think they need to be increased.”

Ms Stirling assisted Ms Towey and her mother Caroline after they made contact with her in a desperate bid for help. Ms Towey, a 28-year-old Emirates flight attendant, had a travel ban placed on her passport after she was charged with attempted suicide and alcohol consumption.

This followed a series of violent assaults allegedly at the hands of her husband. Ms Towey returned to Ireland last Thursday after a series of high-level political and diplomatic interventions. The charges against her have been dropped.

Ms Stirling said the case had shone a light on the risks of travelling to Dubai.

“The UAE used to charge rape victims with sex outside marriage,” she said.

“Now they’re charging domestic violence victims with attempted suicide and alcohol consumption. I think the Irish Government should be giving a warning to its citizens about the reality out there. It also might serve as a way to encourage the authorities out there to update their law enforcement policies.”

Sinn Féin Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane, who also assisted in bringing Ms Towey home, called on the Government to do more to raise human rights issues with the authorities in Dubai .

“I think this has been a real eye-opener for young people,” she said.

“We have a lot of these people, particularly out of college, a lot of teachers and nurses who go out there. This really has put the spotlight on the very different culture and legal practices in Dubai, which is probably no harm, but it also flags the serious human rights issues for women in particular.

“I think there is a lot of questions to be asked after this. Obviously the priority has been Tori but I think the Government, in any diplomatic discussions or visits they have with the UAE, needs to raise these issues because I wouldn’t imagine Tori is the only woman to have experienced domestic violence and seek support and not get it. Of that there is no doubt.”