Top 10 Unbelievable countries to live in with their strict laws

Updated on August 19, 2022 15:40 PM by Ava Sara

God created man, and man created laws and regulations to bring peace and prosperity to the society he lives in to be safe and happy. Strict laws ensure reduced crime rates that, in turn, kindles fear among the potential offenders from not committing any crime.

The law of the land in many countries was framed based on keeping religion, culture, and other aspects in mind. Few counties in the world framed stringent laws with the belief that lenience in laws result in uncooperativeness among the people of the land, and offenders find loopholes to exploit it through their wrong deeds.

There are few countries with stringent laws and harsh policies at times; people tend to think the law is unfair to them and are never satisfied. And here, we will discuss such ten highly intolerant countries that, with their strict governance and implementation of their laws, seed fear in people. One must be aware of these countries before entering their territories.

North Korea

North Korea is an unadulterated Communist country that welcomes tourists from all nations other than South Korea and the United States. There is always extreme tension between the inter-Korean, and with little warning, anything might happen at any time.

After the death of Otto Warmbier, who visited North Korea, he was arrested on charges of subversion in 2016 and was later released in 2017 in a vegetative state and died soon. After this incident, the U.S banned Americans from visiting North Korea, and even North Korea banned Americans from entering the country.

Also, Read: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's wife Ri Sol Ju makes a rare public appearance.

Today, guides called minders are assigned by the government to escort the tourists right from day one they enter the country till the last day as they fly off to ensure that no laws in the country are ever broken.

The entire country’s activities are controlled by the government, from the printing press to tv content, broadcast and censoring. Permission to use the internet is allowed only for the ruling elite, whose online activities are keenly monitored.

The movements of the country’s people are very limited as they have the freedom to wander in parks and other such activities need proper support for their actions. The country has strict policies prohibiting intimate relationships with unmarried people; to ensure this rule, the government employed the “Dating Police.”

This country has strict dressing laws, as women are not allowed to wear pants, and men should have a regular haircut once in 15 days. Violating laws and regulations is a punishable offense with forced labor, and tenure depends on the type of offense.

Iran

Iran is ruled based on religious customs and traditions called Sharia law, and this law is based on the sacred scriptures of Islam.

A small action against the government can land any countryman in jail that can even include the slightest negative statement about the Iranian government is more than enough to be prosecuted by the government. Using social media sites like Facebook, Google +, and YouTube also means trouble.

Also, Read eight fantastic places to visit in Iran to experience its true culture.

Men and women are supposed to dress and style themselves based on the strict laws of Islam. Women are forbidden to go out unless or until they stick on with the dress code, like covering their head with a hijab and not wearing skinny jeans, and men have to maintain hairstyles according to the religious scriptures.

Western music is a complete no-no in the country, and no one is supposed to touch alcoholic beverages, whether a man or woman.

Syria

The Syrian Arab Republic is tense because of the ongoing clash between the government and the rebellions. To combat this, the Syrian government knockout several communications and broadcasts. Communication through mobile, landlines and even access to the internet was restricted. Foreigners are prohibited from entering Syria, and the country's news channels are closely watched. Any journalist acting against the government is tortured and made dead.

Eritrea

Eritrea, a country part of Eastern Africa, is often addressed as the North Korea of Africa, which has one of the best colonial architectural structures in the world. Since its independence in 1993, the country has been ruled by President Isaias Afewerki with no national-level election till now. The country is a highly centralized, authoritarian regime, and the President has all power to control the media in the country, right from writing the news to getting published in the media. Nothing could be broadcasted without getting prior approval from the President's Office.

The President also controls not only media but even religion. No compatriot is supposed to worship in public, and one has to apply for membership and get consent from the government before practicing their faith.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa along the west coast. In the early 1990s, oil and natural gas were discovered, which made a huge fortune for the country but still, but people still live with no food, poor healthcare, and low literacy rates.

Equatorial Guinea's economy has traditionally depended on commodities such as cocoa and coffee. Still, it is now heavily dependent on petroleum due to the discovery and exploitation of significant oil reserves. For years the country has been dependent on commodities such as cocoa and coffee; after oil reserves were discovered on the land, it bloomed into a great economy where per-capita wealth exceeds Britain, but three-quarters of its citizens live on less than a dollar a day.

Also, Read The strange and evil world of Equatorial Guinea.

Citizens are discouraged from getting literate, and the country has no development facilities to improve the well-being of its citizens. Tourism in Equatorial Guinea is very low, and even if foreigners are allowed to enter the country, they follow a few restrictions like not capturing any scenes and not portraying the country's poverty through pictures. Since 1973, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has strictly controlled the tv and radio stations.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted in its religious practices, but after Mohammed bin Salman came to power in 2017, things are not been the same. He became Saudi Arabia's deputy prime minister, head of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, and Minister of Defense. Previous social laws that forbid women drivers from driving have now changed, and employ female drivers now. But internet access is still restricted, and media outlets are watched very closely. He and his government have full power to fire any senior editors from publishing or broadcasting content that tries to portray the government negatively.

Also Read: Fathered 36 children! Abdullah of Saudi Arabia - Trivia Facts on the Former King of Saudi Arabia

Cuba

It is hard to separate Cuba from Fidel Castro, and so is tourism. As per the 2018 report, around 4.7 million tourists have visited, which is now considered the perfect destination and is earning huge revenue. The favorable climate, beaches, colonial architecture, and distinct cultural history make Cuba a unique tourism destination. Though it sounds like a perfect country to live still, it is a communist country, and anyone who dares to speak against the government lands up in trouble just like usual.

Internet usage and sites are always monitored, and anyone who writes or posts anything against the government will face a terrible jail sentence if arrested.

Also, Read The worst fire in Cuba's history! The oil depot brought the fire under control after five days.

After the pandemic, Cuba is striving hard to revive the tourism industry because of which the country can tend to suffer a serious economic crisis in the future.

China

The growing economic hub is taking the world by storm; though it sets a positive image for the world, the internal work is not just the same. China is always at loggerheads with sharing its border with its neighboring countries. But as everyone knows, China is a communist country, and no one is supposed to cross the government line. No one is supposed to criticize the government and its officials. Any Anti-government propaganda is immediately put under silence.

Also, Read: The Yangtze River had dried up! Worst heat wave in China in more than 60 years!

And till today, spoiling the youth with western thought is a crime, and people responsible for it will be jailed or banned; many such popular Hollywood singers have been banned from entering China.

The entire government controlled the media, and the internet was strictly monitored. Certain taboo topics should never be discussed with anyone publically.

Japan

A constitutional monarchy country like Japan tops the world today almost in everything, and a small island is highly developed and emerged as a superpower in global politics.

Today people believe that the feudal system is the base for today’s Japanese business model as it influenced a significant part in the country’s development. Japenese companies have strict policies that start from the top CEO climbing the ladder until it reaches the ground staff level. This is followed so that all employees perform their duties delegated based on their given designations.

Also, Read Japan with a new campaign forcing young people to drink more alcohol!

Till now, talking about World War II and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is strictly prohibited. Visitors from other nations must be more cautious about holy places and shrines in Japan as it is taboo to take photographs of figures of deities and Buddha. Certain places are not open to the public, and taking photos is prohibited. Check out the signs before getting into doing something, and one must take off their shoes before entering any temple.

Singapore

Singapore is a country known for severe fines and penalties. Any form of breaking the law is an offense that could end up in jail. The country might look small, but the government’s strict implementation of laws and policies is. When in Singapore, the wrong attire can land you in trouble. Imagine these are for just small violations. Imagine how the government treats serious crimes and serious violations of law.

Also Read: 11 Interesting Facts About Singapore

Don’t be frightened if you follow the laws; Singapore is the best country to live in, with a world-class economy with standards of living rated higher than most advanced European nations.

Singapore runs as a multi-party parliamentary system of representative democracy where the President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power is vested with the President and the Cabinet ministers. Halimah Yacob is the President of Singapore, and Lee Hsien Loong is the Prime Minister.