REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON BRITISH BEHAVIOUR ABROAD

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, July 17 (Bernama) -- Authorities in the United Arab Emirates
arrested or detained 265 British nationals, including 24 on drug-linked
charges, between April last year and March this year, according to a report.

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said 6,439 Britons were
arrested or detained worldwide during that period, including 944 on drug-related
offences.

The FCO's latest 'British Behaviour Abroad' report showed that some of the
cases in the UAE involved Britons visiting or transiting Dubai being arrested
at the airport with drugs or even residue of drugs, found in bags and clothing.

It also observed that arrests for financial crime were increasing in this
Gulf nation.

The report warned British nationals that public displays of affection,
including kissing, could also lead to trouble in this country.

It highlighted that UAE laws prohibited sex or co-habitation outside
marriage, including in hotels, and that pregnancy outside marriage could lead to
imprisonment.

Adultery, cross-dressing and homosexual behaviour were illegal in the UAE,
the document added.

The report further reminded Britons that swearing or making rude gestures
were considered an obscene act here, and offenders could be prosecuted.

The survey indicated that some one million British citizens visited the UAE
every year, in addition to the 100,000 residing here.

The FCO said, lost or stolen passports were by far, the most frequent
problem encountered by British tourists and residents, with 27,272 reported
incidents worldwide.

However, it said the report pointed to other more serious problems,
including drink and drug-related arrests, high numbers of road traffic
accidents, and extremely high treatment and repatriation bills resulting from a
lack of adequate travel insurance.

FCO Minister Jeremy Browne said the worrying fact was that so many of these
situations were preventable.

"Helping out Britons in trouble abroad is part of our job, but we can't
get you out of jail or pay your hospital bills," he said.

-- BERNAMA



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