Dubai Princess Requests For A Forced Marriage Protection Order

Princess Haya, wife of the ruler of Dubai has approached a UK court, seeking a forced marriage protection order. The princess was thought to have escaped from the country in June, she was then reported to be in London and said to be in fear for her life. Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's wife, Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, is the third female member of his court to apparently try to run away, reported BBC. 

Princess Haya had fled to Europe with her children and her husband has now had applied for their return to Dubai. While the Sheikh also applied for reporting restriction on orders by the court, a judge rejected it. Sir Andrew McFarlane ruled that there was "apublic interest in the public understanding, in very broad terms, proceedings that are before the court". The case began in London on Tuesday.

Princess Haya is the first Arab and first woman ever to become Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme. The then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed her a UN Messenger of Peace in 2007.

The princess had also applied for the wardship of her children. Adding to this, she also applied for a forced marriage protection order and a non-molestation order. The details of the order sought by the princess are not yet known.

The high profile escape

According to the reports, Dubai’s Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein had left her husband Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the country’s crown prince and leader, and is also one of the richest men in the world. The princess is currently seeking asylum in Europe. One of the Sheikh’s daughter’s Princess Latifa had fled Dubai last year when she vanished off the coast of Goa.

The Human Rights Watchdog’s CEO Radha Stirling said, “Whenever someone applies for political asylum, obviously, it is because their lives are in danger and because they have suffered severe abuses and violations of their human rights. We already know that Princess Latifa, Sheikh Mohammed’s daughter, fled the UAE seeking asylum and alleging unspeakable abuse at the hands of her father. Now, it seems, Princess Haya, Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, has also fled the country and sought refuge in Germany.”

Princess Haya has also taken £31million to start a new life, as she is reportedly taking asylum in Europe. According to The Sun, she had also immediately filed for divorce as she took asylum.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's wife, Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, is the third female member of his court to apparently try to run away, reported BBC. 

The first woman ever to become Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme

Princess Haya is the first Arab and first woman ever to become Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme. Also, the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed her a UN Messenger of Peace in 2007. Princess Haya wed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in Amman, Jordan on 10 April 2004. She is said to be interested in horse riding and started it at the age of 13.

Picture Credit: New York Times

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