Complaints against journalists drop after issuing UAE press-freedom decree

Dubai: Dubai Press Club and the UAE Journalist's Association celebrated press freedom during a Ramadan Majlis, one year after the decree by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

From 2004-2007, more than 80 complaints were lodged against journalists at the courts or with public prosecution, but no cases have been registered since the decree was issued.

The majlis was addressed by Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of the Journalists Association, Abdul Hamid Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, and Abdul Hamid Kamiyati, Attorney and Legal Expert.

Participants praised the decree and said it was a major step forward, but also said that a draft law should be discussed with concerned parties before issuance.

Muhammad Yousuf, Chairman of the UAE Journalist's Union, described September 25 as the national day for freedom of the press, and said the decree was hailed locally and internationally, particularly by the Arab Journalists Association and the International Federation of Journalists.

The attorney Abdul Hamid Kamiyati said the decree was a leap forward for the country in terms of freedom of expression and the press. He said the decree embodies the theories lawyers put in place on these issues.

Abdul Hamid Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief, Gulf News, also praised the decree not to imprison journalists in publication-related cases, drawing attention to the clause for the arrest of journalists in the currently existing law, and also said the decree removed fear from the minds of journalists.

He also praised the role of political leadership in their support of press freedom.