It should be a win-win solution. Many Pakistani and Indian prisoners who have been languishing in UAE jails should now be eligible for repatriation to serve out the rest of their sentences in their home countries. For inmates who volunteer to be incarcerated nearer their homes and families, the benefits are obvious - equally, the UAE should be glad of an opportunity to close the books on cases involving convicted expatriate felons.
There are still details to be worked out. As The National reported yesterday, Pakistan expects the first prisoners to be transferred as early as next month; Indian prisoners will have to wait at least nine months as officials iron out the details.
The prisoner transfer was made possible after the UAE Cabinet announced on Sunday that agreements had been inked with both countries, which are both important sources of expatriate labour, and whose citizens comprise a sizeable portion of the prison population.
According to the agreements, prisoners can request to be transferred, but those jailed for drug offences, murder or financial crimes will not be eligible. Of the 1,200 to 1,400 Pakistani prisoners in the country, about 800 are estimated to be eligible for the transfer. Indian officials say that there are about 1,200 Indians serving time here.
For prisoners who are being held for relatively minor crimes, returning home will improve their chances integrating back into normal roles in society. For the UAE - which deports expatriate prisoners after their sentences are completed in any event - these inmates are simply a drain on state resources.
In recent years, the UAE has been considering a number of solutions to reduce the number of inmates, from community service to annual pardons. The new treaty is an important step in that direction.
There are other measures that are worth considering: one example might be a reform of the blood-money system, which keeps inmates in jail until compensation has been paid. An extension of the new treaty might allow expatriates to serve that time in their home country, without absolving them of the responsibility to pay.
The new treaty should be part of a wider trend to improve coordination in criminal matters between the UAE and countries with significant expatriate populations here.
RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Jawan
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus
Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India
Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes
Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)