In the west there is ONE set of laws for everyone. That includes locals, visitors, and even illegals. If you had such a bad time in the civilized part of the world it must have been your own doing.
In the sand there is two sets of laws, one for the locals and one for the infidels.
I would much rather be a Arab in the west than an ex-pat in the middle east. In the west I know I have the laws to protect me.