Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1445
2007-08-29 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

BLOGGER JAILED FOR DEFAMATION OF LOCAL OFFICIAL

Tags:  PHUM PREL AE 
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VZCZCXRO3185
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAD #1445 2411349
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291349Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9607
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001445 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL AE
SUBJECT: BLOGGER JAILED FOR DEFAMATION OF LOCAL OFFICIAL

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001445

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL AE
SUBJECT: BLOGGER JAILED FOR DEFAMATION OF LOCAL OFFICIAL

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.


1. (U) An AFP story dated August 22 noted that an Arab human rights
group (Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information --
HRInfo) was decrying the one-year sentence against a website owner
in the UAE, Mohammed Rashed al-Shehhi, on defamation charges, adding
that al-Shehhi was also fined approximately 19,000 dollars and had
his web-site (majan.net) shut down. The case in the emirate of Ras
al-Khaimah (RAK) stems from a suit filed by an RAK official. What
HRInfo characterized as simple "political criticism" of a civil
servant (and that by a contributor over whom the website manager
likely has no control),earned al-Shehhi a stiff penalty.


2. (U) The local Arabic daily Al-Khaleej had published an August 11
article noting the "controversial" closing of the blog, citing
opposing opinions gleaned in interviews without clearly espousing a
particular point of view. The writer, without mentioning the
content of the alleged defamatory statements, cited an elected
Federal National Council member noting the important role of the
website while also cautioning against its misuse, an RAK official
cautioning against unregulated expression which infringed on
another's privacy, bloggers "shocked" by the decision to close the
site and others emphasizing the need to develop the positive aspects
of the Internet in the UAE's move towards participatory governance,
and an RAK court official citing the laws violated and the
punishments therein designated. The AFP article some days later
amplified the negative aspects of the case for an international
audience.


3. (SBU) Contacts familiar with the case at the RAK courts note the
serious nature of remarks published on the site and cite the penalty
as derived from Articles 16 and 24 of the UAE Communication and
Internet law. (Note: Article 16 puts the penalty for "violating
social principles and family values" as imprisonment of not less
than one year and/or a fine of not less than fifty thousand Dirhams
[approx. USD 13,600], while Article 24 calls for the confiscation of
devices, programs and means used in committing such violations. End
note.) According to RAK judicial officials, a web participant
seriously insulted the Director of the RAK Health Department,
accusing him of spying on his employees, hiring his relatives for
key positions despite their lack of qualifications, and having
intimate extra-marital affairs. The offended party reportedly asked
al-Shehhi to remove the offensive entry, and filed the suit when
only a portion of the more libelous elements was deleted. The case
is pending appeal.


4. (SBU) Comment: Freedom of expression and an open press are
widely recognized in the UAE as positive democratic values which
will gain favor over the long term, yet local writers must take
precautions to avoid official censure. When one crosses a "red
line" in defaming officialdom, the courts can be somewhat heavy
handed, thus reinforcing the survival mechanism of self-censorship.
Without more detail on this particular case, it is difficult to
ascertain whether it is a legitimate case of libel or an example of
a local blogger pushing the envelope just a little too far and
paying the consequences. End comment.

QUINN