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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to never, ever go to the Maldives on holiday

122 replies

Sallyingforth · 27/02/2013 12:14

after reading this report...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21595814

OP posts:
FellNel · 27/02/2013 12:15

linky no worky

NamelessHereForEvermore · 27/02/2013 12:16

Worky Linky

aldiwhore · 27/02/2013 12:19

It's a shocking story and YANBU, but thinking about it there aren't an awful lot of places you could holiday if you took general morals and ethics into account.

Original poster
Sallyingforth · 27/02/2013 12:23

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21595814

Sorry not to have posted correctly. Probably just too angry.

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 27/02/2013 12:24

Oh my gosh that is horrendous OP. I was just thinking the other day how nice it would go to the Maldives, have changed my mind now. Would never set foot in dubai either because of how women are treated there.

EuroShaggleton · 27/02/2013 12:31

That is absolutely appalling, but personally I do not feel the need to agree with the politics of the country in order to visit it. I vehemently disagree with the death penalty but still visit the US.

I think the fact that the Maldives is a tourist destination for many Westerners will help bring atrocities like this to public attention and condemnation, which might, just might, help the sitiation in future. Without tourism I doubt anyone would give a crap about what goes on in a set of tiny islands with a tiny population thousands of miles away.

PureQuintessence · 27/02/2013 12:34

"Without tourism I doubt anyone would give a crap about what goes on in a set of tiny islands with a tiny population thousands of miles away."

Thankfully I dont share your cynicism.

I do give a shit what happens to children, at the hands of adults, wherever they are in the world.

EuroShaggleton · 27/02/2013 13:26

My point was that if this wasn't a common tourist destination for Brits, I doubt any news about the Maldives would ever be heard about here. It just wouldn't be on the radar. I wasn't suggesting that you personally or anyone else would not care upon hearing about an appalling atrocity, just that it was pretty unlikely that you would have ever heard about it. Haven't you noticed that news in the UK seems to largely be about: the UK, the US, the other big Western European countries, other places Brits travel to or commonly emigrate to, pretty much in that order. News from the Maldives would be unlikely to be discussed here, if it were not a common tourist destination.

PureQuintessence · 27/02/2013 13:30

I still think you are wrong. It is a global community and news travel fast, especially news relating to mistreatment of young children and females. There is at least one or two cases per month highlighted just on MN, and not all are tourist destinations!

theodorakisses · 28/02/2013 14:19

You have to stand up for what you believe in. I will never go to Thailand again, the women on the streets with their pimps were all about 13, me and my friend were out in a thunderstorm and a vile pimp called out to us and had a little boy no older than 7 and he pulled the boys pants down and said very nice very cheap. My friend who is a teacher went ballistic but what can you do apart from avoid these places and encourage others to do the same? I am haunted by the memory of that child, I wish I had brought him home with me. I don't blame anyone for being angry and upset about the vileness of the world but I wish it was possible to actually change it.

PessaryPam · 28/02/2013 14:33

theodora, where in Thailand was this?

Jins · 28/02/2013 14:36

I don't think I will have to face the dilemma in all honesty :(

Astelia · 28/02/2013 15:15

The Maldives has a backward and nasty regime and we will never set foot in the place (we live in Singapore so not far away). I hope the international pressure from this awful case brings about a change in attitudes.

KenAdams · 28/02/2013 15:52

YA so NBU. I won't ever go to Dubai either.

ubik · 28/02/2013 15:56

Was talking to DP about this last night. If I had won the lottery I would rescue the poor child - she's effectively been handed a death sentence, involving the most horrendous suffering, based on some religious nonsense.

But I think she can choose to wait until she's 18 for her flogging, so that's ok then.

LadyPessaryPam · 28/02/2013 15:57

Astelia and Ken, I totally agree with both of you. I have a list of countries I won't go to and it's ever expanding as militant Islamists continue their relentless rise. Egypt's recently off the list which is a pity as I did want to see the pyramids.

somebloke123 · 28/02/2013 16:05

I suppose at least there's a 2 year interval before the sentence is due to be carried out so hopefully there's some time for pressure to build up.

If their tourism industry became under threat they might be encouraged to think again.

I read in the article that the practice of any religion other than islam is banned. Not making any connection between the sentence and the Religion Of Peace of course ....

SoleSource · 28/02/2013 16:06

Oh good fucking god theodora NOOO :(:(:(

ubik · 28/02/2013 16:16

The thing is when I travelled in the middle east everyone was so welcoming, really we were shown kindness, people wanting to talk, give us tea, sell us stuff, show us photos. Ordinary people make travelling in the middle east a pleasure.

People made a point of telling us we were welcome in Egypt - but this was nearly 20 years ago Sad

ubik · 28/02/2013 16:18

When I was travelling in Turkey I learned that it is not uncommon for a family to 'loan' a boy to a western traveller for a price. This was to run errands - I saw one boy in a cafe who was fetching socksfrom the market for a male traveller. There are obvious disturbing aspects to these transactions Sad

secretscwirrels · 28/02/2013 16:22

LadyPessaryPam I have a long list of places I won't go to as well. Most people look at me Hmm if I mention it.

LadyPessaryPam · 28/02/2013 18:11

Appalling Filly, what a shower of shits.

CardinalRichelieu · 28/02/2013 18:15

Yanbu

I also won't contribute to the economies of places with no human rights. I am coming up for secondment abroad and really hope I don't draw anywhere in the Middle East... Work probably won't give a shit about my ethical objections

SucksToBeMe · 28/02/2013 18:20

That poor poor girl. She has been key down by so many people.

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