INSIDE THE DUBAI ROYAL FAMILY: Where are the missing Princesses? | 60 Minutes Australia

60 Minutes Australia19 minutes read

The royal family of Dubai is in the midst of a tumultuous divorce battle, with Princess Haya accusing Sheikh Mohammed of abuse and intimidation. This case sheds light on the dark reality of how women, even within the royal family, are treated as second-class citizens in Dubai and the surrounding region.

Insights

  • Princess Haya accused Sheikh Mohammed of intimidating her with guns and threats, revealing a dark reality in Dubai where women, even in the royal family, face mistreatment and abuse.
  • Sheikh Mohammed's abusive behavior, including kidnapping his daughters, has been exposed through a high-profile legal battle in London, leading to calls for accountability from activists like David Haig and a UN investigation into the treatment of women in his royal family.

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Recent questions

  • Why is Princess Haya seeking asylum?

    Fear of intimidation and imprisonment by Sheikh Mohammed.

  • How many children does Sheikh Mohammed have?

    Between 24 to 30 children.

  • What allegations were made against Sheikh Mohammed?

    Kidnapping his daughters and abuse accusations.

  • What is the impact of Princess Haya's actions?

    Exposing abuse and human rights violations.

  • Who is campaigning for Princess Latifah's freedom?

    Activists like David Haig.

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Summary

00:00

Dubai's Royal Family Divorce Scandal Unveiled

  • The royal family of Dubai, specifically Sheikh Mohammed and his ex-wife Princess Haya, are embroiled in a messy and costly divorce battle.
  • Princess Haya has accused Sheikh Mohammed of intimidating her with guns and threatening her with imprisonment, with a judge ruling in her favor.
  • Dubai presents two contrasting images: a glitzy, progressive city to the world and a dark reality where women, even in the royal family, are treated as second-class citizens.
  • Sheikh Mohammed, a ruler of Dubai, has multiple ex-wives and between 24 to 30 children, including Princess Haya, whom he married in 2004.
  • Sheikh Mohammed's power in Dubai is unquestioned, with a cult of personality surrounding him, and dissent is met with repression.
  • Princess Haya fled to London with her two children, seeking asylum and filing for divorce, leading to a high-profile legal battle in London's High Court.
  • Princess Haya's legal team, led by Baroness Shackleton, has made damning allegations against Sheikh Mohammed, including kidnapping his daughters and attempting to force his 12-year-old daughter into an arranged marriage.
  • The High Court judge found Sheikh Mohammed guilty of kidnapping his daughters, Princess Latifa and Princess Shamsa, in separate incidents.
  • Sheikh Mohammed's attempts at damage control, including staging a global Women's Forum in Dubai, have failed, exposing his abusive behavior and human rights violations.
  • The unrest in Dubai's royal family mirrors similar situations in neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, where Princess Basma bin Saud is also held without charge for advocating women's rights.

17:32

Women in Middle Eastern royalty face danger.

  • A young woman, Asha, has been living a life akin to a "James Bond movie" for months, constantly on the run from her powerful family in Qatar who want her back, even resorting to bribing people for safety in London.
  • Asha, now safe in a secret hideout, feels it's her duty to speak out about the real situation of women in Qatar, highlighting the propaganda and mistreatment they face.
  • Another woman, Princess Latifah of Dubai, is embroiled in a custody battle with her ex-husband, Sheikh Mohammed, who has been accused of intimidating his ex-wife with guns and helicopters, leading to a UN investigation into the treatment of women in his royal family.
  • Activists like David Haig are campaigning for Latifah's freedom and urging political leaders and business partners of Sheikh Mohammed to reconsider their associations with him due to his alleged serious misconduct, including kidnapping and abuse.
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