garyt1957
Anytime you're talking about a country that does not have democratically elected institutions there's going to be issues. One being human rights. Being an atheist any country that bases it's laws on religion especially a hard line one like Sharia Law is going to have issues with me.
That said there are degrees of freedom levels in countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Israel is the only 'free' democracy in the Middle East and Tunisia in North Africa.
Freedom House (2017-2021) rates the other Middle East and Northen Africa countries (with lesser freedoms) with the highest freedom scores after Israel and Tunisia. Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan and Kuwait etc.. Then you have all the authoritarian regimes with the lowest scores like Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The UAE ranks 14th among countries in the Middle East and North Africa, with it's overall score being well above the regional and world scores. And has a economic freedom score of 70.2 making it the 33rd freest in the 2022 Index.
No question the UAE could do a lot better. But under their constitution regarding gender equality they're a long way from Saudi Arabia. Under their constitution women have the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education, the right to practice professions and the right to inherit property. As well as others already mentioned.
I wish all countries had free democratic forms of government. But that isn't the case. The geo political world is messy and complicated. So we all make own own moral judgements.
One of mine is I like Rory and dislike Table for One. lol So I was glad to see him win. 👍