Press Club celebrates anniversary of decree not to imprison journalists

Dubai: The Dubai Press Club in association with the UAE Journalists Union organised a Ramadan Majlis to celebrate the first anniversary of the decree issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, not to imprison journalists in publication-related cases.

Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of the Journalists Union, Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News and Abdul Hamid Kamiyati, attorney and legal expert, addressed the majlis.

The participants praised the decree and said it was a major step forward. They however demanded to go slow in approving the draft law and demanded that it be discussed with the concerned sections before it was issued.

Mohammad Yousuf 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 Union and the International Federation of Journalists.

According to him, while more than 80 complaints were lodged against journalists during 2004 -2007 at the courts or with the public prosecution, not a single case was registered against them after the decree was issued, though a few complaints were lodged with the Prosecution.

Abdul Hamid also praised the decree not to imprison journalists, while drawing attention to the clause in the existing law for the arrest of journalists, which he said hung around the necks of journalists although it was not implemented.

He said the decree came in the wake of a verdict for the imprisonment of a journalist, and said it was of regional and international significance because it happened at a time when journalists in many countries were being jailed with or without trial.

Abdul Hamid praised the role of the political leadership in their support for freedom and said the decree removed fear from the minds of journalists.

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

He demanded the participation of all concerned parties in discussing the draft law. He also demanded the repeal of the criminalisation clause and said journalists should be tried as per one single law.