Jo Malone has come under fire for allegedly “whitewashing” Dubai’s violations of human rights after she seemed to defend the UAE’s record. Jo Malone, who moved to the Middle East after becoming “disillusioned” with Britain, has defended Dubai’s human rights record. Following her apparent statement that there was no difference between living in a Middle Eastern city and the US or the UK, Amnesty International described the fragrance entrepreneur’s position as “deeply troubling.”
Dubai, being a part of the UAE, has been repeatedly criticised by international human rights organisations for a myriad of human rights abuses. They include curbs on freedom of expression, discriminatory trials, the treatment of migrant workers, and the practice of torture and monitoring.
After growing “disillusioned” with Britain, Malone, 61, and her husband, Gary Willcox, relocated to Dubai in 2021. She has already moved into a five-star hotel suite and called Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, “the most wonderful leader.”
Her remarks have been denounced by Amnesty International, which claims that public persons have “a responsibility to speak truthfully about human rights.” “While people are free to relocate as they see fit, defending the United Arab Emirates’ human rights record is deeply troubling,” the organisation said.
“The UAE has a terrible history of repressing dissent, detaining critics without cause, and violating the rights of migrant workers.” In addition to ignoring the pain of many individuals, glossing over these facts runs the risk of legitimising repression. “Public figures have an obligation to speak honestly about human rights, not to assist in the cover-up of violations.”
Malone seemed to downplay the abuses that had occurred in an interview with The Sunday Times, stating that individuals should accept the reality that “you are in someone else’s country.”
“I think that everyone has the right to be whoever they want to be, but you think that the US and the UK have it all figured out?” “I said,” she said.
“Really, you tell me where you can live and where you can check all the boxes.” With an estimated net worth of £15 million, Malone and her spouse are enjoying a 10-year golden visa that permits them to remain in the United Arab Emirates, where neither inheritance nor personal income taxes apply.
“I think I’ve never been happier in my life,” she remarked, adding that she couldn’t imagine going back to Britain. She said she had become “disillusioned” with the tax system in the UK, with little to show for it when “you take [family] to hospital and you’re waiting three days on a trolley”. Dubai has been at the centre of several high-profile human rights abuses.
Although Dubai portrays itself as an international business centre, rampant and well-documented human rights abuses continue unabated, particularly with respect to freedom of speech, standards for fair trials, treatment of guest workers, and the use of torture and interception. International actors remain in full voice calling for substantial reforms and the release of political detainees.