Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ABUDHABI3094
2004-09-13 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE TO BE FEATURED IN HBO CAMEL JOCKEY EXPOSE

Tags:  PHUM PREL TC PK BG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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Diana T Fritz 02/05/2007 05:40:08 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 03094

SIPDIS
CXABU:
 ACTION: DCM
 INFO: POL AMB

DISSEMINATION: DCM
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:MSISON
DRAFTED: POL:SRADDANT
CLEARED: A/DCM:HOWINDECKER POL:JMAYBURY

VZCZCADI498
OO RUEHC RUEHIL RUEHKA RUEHDE RUEHKP RUEHZM
DE RUEHAD #3094 2571338
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 131338Z SEP 04
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5850
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 1287
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA IMMEDIATE 0195
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI IMMEDIATE 4308
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI IMMEDIATE 0079
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003094 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, NEA/ARP, SA/PB AND
PA/PRS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/14
TAGS: PHUM PREL TC PK BG
SUBJECT: UAE TO BE FEATURED IN HBO CAMEL JOCKEY EXPOSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003094

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, NEA/RA, NEA/ARP, SA/PB AND
PA/PRS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/14
TAGS: PHUM PREL TC PK BG
SUBJECT: UAE TO BE FEATURED IN HBO CAMEL JOCKEY EXPOSE


1. (C) SUMMARY: Post has learned from two regional NGOs
that HBO television will soon broadcast a documentary
alleging that UAE camel racetracks continue to use foreign
children as camel jockeys, despite the UAEG's September
2002 ban forbidding this practice. The program may also
highlight miserable living and working conditions for the
camel jockeys, and allege other types of serious abuses.
Action request for PA/PRS contained in paragraph 5. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) On September 10, Poloff learned that the UAE will be
featured in an upcoming (no date given) HBO expose on the
UAE's continued use of foreign children as camel jockeys.
Ansar Burney, head of the Karachi-based NGO Ansar Burney
Welfare Trust International, said the program will
highlight the "plight of these children," including their
poor living and working conditions and systematic physical
abuse. He offered no specific details of the possible
content of the HBO program, although his organization
worked with HBO's producers.


3. (C) Burney said his organization has also made a
documentary based on 22 hours of video highlighting the
miserable living and working conditions of young foreign
camel jockeys. It depicts sexual abuse, severe beatings,
use of electric shock, and other punishments. Burney
alleged to Poloff that the abuse is UAE-wide and done with
the full complicity of the UAEG. He said the government
looks the other way because camel farms, where the abuses
largely occur, are owned primarily by ruling families and
other Emirati elites. Burney travels regularly to the UAE
to "rescue" camel jockeys, with the assistance of the
Pakistani Embassy. His last trip was in early September
when he rescued 23 Pakistani boys, bringing the total
number of boys repatriated with his assistance this year
alone to 63. His mission was reported widely in the UAE
press.


4. (C) Salma Ali, Executive Director of the Dhaka-based NGO
Bangladesh National Womens' Lawyers Assoiation (BNWLA),
informed Poloff on September 11 that her NGO has also
worked with HBO television on the documentary. She said
she does not know when the tape will air. BNWLA also
worked with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation two
years ago to produce a similar expose, broadcast in
February 2003. BNWLA has advocated a total ban on using
foreign children (especially Bangladeshi children) as camel
jockeys, and regularly works with other concerned
international advocacy bodies, including the UN, ILO, and
the NGO Anti-Slavery International.


5. (U) Action request for PA/PRS: Post would appreciate it
if PA would check with HBO to determine whether HBO in fact
is planning to broadcast a documentary on this subject, as
alleged. If so, we would appreciate getting a copy of the
tape and/or a transcript of the program, if possible.

SISON




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