OMAN - November 2004
Oman media ordered to blacklist writers
Reporters Without Borders lambasted the Sultanate of Oman for banning the media from giving space or airtime to two writers and intellectuals for the past five months and called for them to be allowed to be interviewed freely again.The blacklisting appears to be linked to comments the two made on the Iranian channel Al-Alam casting doubt on government commitment to
political reform.Writer Mohammed al-Harthi has had his weekly column banned from the official daily Oman. Poet Abdallah al-Ryami, has seen his once frequent appearances on state-run national television cancelled one after the other.Both al-Harthi et al-Ryami believe that the Oman authorities probably gave verbal instructions to editors of newspapers and directors of programmes on public radio and television forbidding them to interview the two intellectuals or even to mention their names or their work.Contacted by Reporters Without Borders, the information ministry refused to explain the measure, limiting itself to citing various minor amendments made to the press law in August 2004.
The worldwide press freedom organisation condemned the attitude of the Oman authorities in ruling what subjects are "lawful" and "unlawful" and which guests can or cannot be invited on to the airwaves. In a democratic country, journalists make this choice.The organisation urged Oman to allow the national media the freedom to interview the two to prove that political modernisation is under way in the Sultanate. Political opening should include respect for a free and independent press and reform of the still very harsh press law, it said.
Reporters Without Borders urged the Sultanate of Oman, a UNESCO member since 10 February 1972, to respect the 1995 Alma-Ata declaration, in which it undertook to pass legislation "establishing freedom of expression and opinion, access to information and press freedom" and to "end monopolies and all forms of discrimination in radio broadcasting".
The two intellectuals told Reporters Without Borders by phone that the press code was "obsolete" and condemned the authorities' systematic control of all means of expression.Al-Harthi said the Oman press law, which has not been reformed since 1984, gave the information ministry the power to try and jail journalists without having to explain itself to anyone. Al-Ryami said the authorities "attached no importance to press freedom and continued to crackdown on any opinions differing from the government's. Every means of expression including the Internet were subjected to censorship.TV channel Al-Alam put out two programmes in July 2004 on the subject of democratic reform in the Sultanate. Several members of the State Council
(Majlis Al-Dawla) and the Consultative Assembly (Majlis Al-Shura) due to take part in the first programme on 7 July, pulled out at the last moment.During the programme, Mohammed Al-Ryami and Abdallah Al-Harthi both expressed their doubts about the government's willingness to start genuine democratic reform.A week later, Oman television refused to let its studios to Al-Alam and most of the leading Oman figures due to take part again pulled out. The second programme was finally broadcast from Beirut and al-Ryami and al-Harthi contributed by telephone.Al-Harthi had a weekly cultural column entitled Charafat (Platforms) in the daily Oman. He has published several books and collections of poems, some of which are banned in Oman.
Al Ryami is involved in theatre and has published literary works and collections of poems. He was a regular guest on cultural broadcasts on Oman television. Since making his comments on Al-Alam, the cultural programmes he had made for Oman television have been taken off the programme schedule. Lately presenters who invited him to take part in special programmes linked to Ramadam, were reminded by their management that they could not work with him. The writer continues to post his views on various Internet sites such as www.kikah.com, an independent cultural review.
A press under government control
The 1984 press law lays down fines of up to 5,000 US dollars and prison sentences of up to two years. A commission chaired by the ministry of information and which all decisions have to be approved by the minister, is responsible for authorising any new publications. In August 2004 it announced that the capital legally required to launch a publication would be raised to a minimum
of half a million dollars, making it harder to create a new title.UAE authorities conduct successful raid on end-user of pirated software
Recent raid on pharmaceutical company in Sharjah resulted in seizure of 10 PCS loaded with illegal software
DUBAI - November 29, 2004 As part of its ongoing anti-piracy campaign, Ministry of Information (MOI) in the UAE, in cooperation with Sharjah Police, raided the headquarters of a pharmaceutical company in Sharjah and seized 10 PCS loaded with illegal software.Commenting on the raid, Scott Butler, CEO of AAA stated, "Sharjah Police, in conjunction with the MOI, has been conducting a concerted campaign against creators, resellers and end-users of pirated software. This recent raid against an end-user is part of our strategy to encourage home and office users to shun piracy. We are certain that the strong measures adopted by the UAE authorities will help us achieve the goal of a piracy-free country."
"The UAE authorities are committed to the cause of eliminating piracy. The country has in place stringent laws against violation of copyright and anti-piracy laws. According to UAE laws, all companies and individuals have to provide evidence that the software used in their systems is legitimate and legal," added Butler.
"Piracy affects a country's productivity and economy, particularly, in the IT sector. Recent studies have indicated that a piracy-free environment contributes to employment opportunities and wealth-creation. It also creates a conducive environment for global investors," said Butler. The UAE has made commendable progress in combating software piracy. Clearcut
copyright protection laws and stringent implementation have ensured that the UAE is currently at the top of the list in the Middle East for significantly reducing the incidence of software. The UAE is an excellent example of
how implementation of IPR laws can help create a healthy investment climate in the region, and attract leading software multinationals. The country's strong anti-piracy stance has built a good reputation among foreign investors
who are eager to do business here.Reflections on Media and Human Rights in the Gulf Region : a case study of Oman
By V M Sathish M.A.M.Phil
Human Rights is a much used jargon by the Middle East media as every newspaper, TV channel and Internet sites prominently report the rampant human rights violations by Israeli forces against Palestinians. Due to historical reasons and a religious frenzy created by the century old Arab Israeli issue, human rights, read Palestinian rights, captures the headline of the media almost every day. However, on domestic issues including human rights violations and the journalists’ role in society, a number of subtle measures are adopted to keep the media within strict control. Full Report
Report on tobacco control in India Unveils Alert Clock
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, released here today a comprehensive report on Tobacco Control in India. The report was commissioned by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was edited by Prof. K. Srinath Reddy (Professor and Head, Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi) and Dr. Prakash C. Gupta (Director, Healis Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health, Navi Mumbai, Former Honorary Consultant, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai), with contributions from 41 authors who include experts in public health, economics, social sciences, law and environmental sciences. They have been drawn from academic institutions, professional groups, government departments and civil society organisations and reflect their vast experience in areas related to tobacco control. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of USA, provided technical support through expert reviews.
While releasing the report, the Minister also unveiled a Tobacco Alert Clock. The Clock, which will be displayed at Nirman Bhawan. It provides a minute by minute update on the number of Indians dying from tobacco. It also displays rotating health warnings on the harm caused by tobacco use as well as the benefits of avoiding or stopping its use.
Speaking about the report, the Union Health Minister, Dr. Anubumani Ramadoss said that the government of India has enacted an important social legislation relating to Tobacco Control last year. However, legislation itself is not enough. There is a need to increase awareness among the masses about these issues of tobacco use/control constantly in order to achieve desired results. The media has an important role to play. The members of civil society also need to contribute to these efforts in achieving a tobacco free society. He reiterated the Government’s resolve to effectively implement the legal provisions for tobacco control.
The Health Secretary, Mr. J.V.R. Prasad Rao, said that tobacco use is a serious public health challenge in several regions of the world. It has assumed the dimension of an epidemic resulting in enormous disability, disease and death. It is estimated that five million preventable deaths occur every year globally, attributable to tobacco use. At this rate, the number of such deaths is expected to double by 2020. In addition to damage to personal health, tobacco use results in severe societal costs like reduced productivity and health care burden, environmental damage and poverty of the families. The degree of destruction brought to bear upon the individual and society surpasses the returns generated by tobacco production and consumption in terms of revenue and employment.
Speaking on the occasion the WHO representative to India, Dr. S.J. Habayeb congratulated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for achieving historic milestones in its efforts for curbing tobacco use in India. He said this report provides directions, which will have a profound impact not only on the health of the Indian people, but will also set a public health example at the global level.
The Health & Human Services, Government of USA, Dr. Altaf Ahmed Lal said that today’s report amounts to a momentous public health milestone for all of India and her citizens. The challenge will be to utilize India’s extensive scientific network to translate the report’s recommendations into practice.
Prof. & Head of Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, said that this report provides a road map for multi-sectoral action to control tobacco. We now need a National Commission for Tobacco Control to put this plan into action and coordinate efforts across all sectors of society.
SHRI REDDY MEETS HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN
His Highness The Aga Khan today met the Union Minister of Culture, Shri Jaipal Reddy. They discussed the efforts of the Aga Khan Foundation in restoring the historical monuments in India and elsewhere. The Minister appreciated the Foundation’s zeal and endeavour in the restoration and maintenance of monuments in India. The role of ASI was also applauded in the maintenance and upkeep of monuments in India. His Highness Aga Khan suggested that the culture tourism could be reinvigorated in the Asian Region.His Highness Aga Khan is on a visit to India in connection with the Architectural Award which is given by the Aga Khan foundation to a monumental structure once every three years. The Award ceremony this year is being held in the ‘Humayun’s Tomb’ complex on November 27, 2004.
Saudi Arabia: Women's exclusion from elections undermines progress
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for the country's first nationwide municipal elections early next year, but half of the population will not be taking part. Women have been excluded. This is contrary to the country's election law, which does not explicitly ban women from taking part. The exclusion also undermines recent positive developments in the country, such as the much publicised "National Dialogue", which included a focus on women's rights and their ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The ratification in October 2000 was done without reservation about Article 7 on political participation.
Registration for the elections, for which candidates are already running, will begin this month. The elections will allow voters to choose half of the members of the municipal councils; the other half will be appointed by the government.
Saudi Arabia's electoral law is clear about women's participation. The law uses the word "citizen" -- in Arabic, this refers to both men and women in indicating those eligible to vote. Despite this, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz announced last month that women would not be allowed to take part in the elections, saying "I don't think that women's participation is possible."
The Head of the Election Committee, Prince Mut'ab bin Abdul Aziz, said, "I expect women to participate in elections in future stages, after conducting studies to assess whether it is useful or not." Amnesty International opposes Saudi Arabia's plans to ban women from participation in the forthcoming elections and believes that the right to universal suffrage is a fundamental right that must not be delayed.
For Saudi Arabia, the elections are a positive development; unfortunately, for Saudi Arabia's women, they're another setback.
Despite this, women have become more vocal in asking for more equal rights. Last year, three women were allowed to take positions on the board of the country's first human rights committee and this year, a woman was elected to the Board of Directors of the Journalist Union. In addition, a number of women expressed their wish to run as candidates for the municipal elections before they were blocked by the official announcement.
In Saudi Arabia, not only are women being blocked from participating in politics, they are not permitted to move freely without the company of an immediate male relative (Mahram), even to seek urgent medical attention.
A simple activity like walking down the street is prohibited for women who are not allowed to walk in public without the company of a Mahram. Breaching these codes gives rise to suspicion of prostitution and may result in arrest, brutality, and torture by police, particularly the religious police (Mutawa'een), who patrol the streets monitoring, among other things, women's conduct or dress or behaviour.
Further gender-based restrictions on the freedom of movement include the prohibition on women driving cars. Fourteen years ago, 47 women took part in an unprecedented protest against what was then customary law. They drove a convoy of cars in Riyadh and were immediately arrested and detained for hours. They were released only after their male relatives signed undertakings that the women would not violate the ban again.
Those among them who had jobs in the public sector were dismissed from their jobs by a royal decree. A fatwa (religious ruling) was issued by the senior council of Ulama (Clerics) stating that women were not allowed to drive. This was followed by a government statement supporting the fatwa and warning of punishment for women who do not respect it. Opposition to the ban is growing once again as the economy opens up and more women find work.
The country's Labour Minister announced in May 2004 that women may carry out business activities without the need for a wakil (representative). Although the impact of this decision is still unclear, AI welcomes all steps that seek to reduce restrictions against women's right to work and lessen discrimination against women.
Women in Saudi Arabia continue to challenge many severe forms of discrimination in the fields of personal status, employment, participation in public life, the subordination of women to men, and restrictions on their freedom of movement.
One of Amnesty International's key demands has been for the government of Saudi Arabia to amend all discriminatory laws against women and foreign workers in accordance with CEDAW. Saudi Arabia's ratification of CEDAW should mean that it has accepted its responsibility to improve women's human rights situation in the country. It is imperative that these improvements are made if the country wishes further its' engagement with the international community.
Kerala-Srilankan Lovers Found Dead in Locked Car within Jumeirah Villa
DUBAI - A unique obituary reached newspaper offices two days after a Keralite man and a Sri Lankan woman were found dead in a car parked inside a Jumeirah villa. Apparently the 36 years old Abdul Salam from Northern Kerala who was working as a driver for a local family was found dead in a locked car with his fiancée, a Sri Lankan housemaid. It appears that the couple had sex inside the vehicle and must have either slept with the car air conditioner working. It could also be a suicide case where the couple had deliberately closed all the windows and covered the vehicle that prevented carbon monoxide generated from the car exhaust or air-conditioned was breathed in. A statement said the lovers were found dead after breathing Freon gas inside the car.
It is only a few months back a Keralite housewife from Ajman has reportedly died after her locked car plunged into the Dubai creek. It was speculated that the death of the lady was a unique mode of suicide. While many people in Dubai are reported to be enjoying sex within the safe confines of a closed vehicle, it is for the first time that a couple was found dead following sex. The dead body of the Malayali youth who is married with a child will be flown back to Kerala. Married expatriates who live as bachelors engage in extra marital affairs and it is common for housemaids and drivers to develop intimate physical relationship. Many lovers resort to love making in parked vehicles and Dubai Police introduced strict norms for 30 per cent window tinting. "It appears that the lovers were exhausted after love making and slept inside the car, without knowing the danger posed by the poiosonous gas emitted by the car.
"It is common to see vehicles parked in isolated places. I found a couple making love in a parked vehicle. When I looked through the glass window, they were totally nude. However, within a few minutes the driver went away with the vehicle," says a security officer near Gold Land near the Gold Suq Bus Station. It was only recently that a Malayali lovers were arrested by the Dubai Police after they were found having sex inside the parked vehicle.
It was in the first week of November that an amorous couple was jailed after they were caught by the Dubai Police for making love inside a parked car with tinted window in a secluded area. The pair were seen by police officers, who walked up for a closer look and peered inside. The police got many items as evidence to prove that they were indulging in sex inside the vehicle. The Dubai Court of First Instance heard the Indian couple had arranged their tryst at a sandy parking area in Rifaa on September 29. According to the police, the patrol police monitored the lovers who arrived in two separate cars before getting into one car. The couple of a 24-year-old salesman and his 28-year-old lover engaged in an intimate act. The patrolman knocked on the window and told them to get dressed, before taking them in for questioning. The 28-year-old woman had driven to the area to meet her lover, despite being married to another man. The salesman, who was identified as K.K., said they had been having an illicit relationship for more than two months. They had met in Dubai and fallen in love, the salesman said. They were both convicted of having an illicit relationship and sentenced to three months in prison.
Motor vehicle exhaust gas suicide is common among Australian males aged 20 to 50 years. In Australia it is a common mode of suicide. This has resulted in motor vehicle exhaust being responsible for an increasing proportion of all suicides for both males and females.Carbon monoxide (CO), the most toxic component of motor vehicle exhaust gas, is colourless, odourless and tasteless and is produced from the incomplete combustion of organic fuels. Mild O poisoning produces headache and drowsiness; more severe poisoning leads to collapse, coma and death. Other effects can include myocardial infarction, deterioration of personality and impaired memory.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a a product of incomplete combustion. Motor vehicles, heaters, and appliances that use carbon-based fuels are the main sources of this poison. Most fatal unintentional CO poisonings associated with motor vehicles are preventable and can result from differing mechanisms of exposure; 1) operation of a motor vehicle with a damaged or malfunctioning exhaust system and an inadequately ventilated passenger compartment, 2) operation of a motor vehicle in an enclosed space (e.g., a garage) with inadequate ventilation, and 3) use of auxiliary fuel-burning heaters inside a passenger compartment or in a camper.
Carbon monoxide attaches itself to the body's red blood cells, making the cells unable to carry oxygen. The brain and heart are the most susceptible to toxicity because they depend most heavily on oxygen to function. Lasting effects on these organs can include myocardial infarction, deterioration of personality and impaired memory. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are normally a headache, drowsiness, then loss of consciousness (LOC) and finally death. If the poisoning is not fatal hypoxic brain injury can occur with possible symptoms of confusion, disorientation, incontinence, amnesia, short-term memory loss and/or muteness.
Accident reports while the couple engage in sex within their vehicles while driving is nothing new. A 25-year-old man was killed and his partner was seriously injured in a head-on crash that police said took place while the driver was having sex behind the wheel. Another car veered into the couple's path in this town 25 km northeast of Quebec City, shattering both vehicles and trapping the occupants. The 25-year-old driver, from Baie-Comeau, Que., was killed on impact and the driver of the other vehicle was gravely injured, said provincial police. Witnesses said the deceased man and his female passenger were partially undressed, leading police to believe the couple had been having sex prior to impact. "The two people at this moment were in the midst of having sexual intercourse at the wheel of the vehicle, which makes driving that much more dangerous," said provincial police spokesman Richard Gagne.
Dileep Nair: The Controversial Malayali Officer in the United Nations
Mr. Dileep Nair (Singapore) was appointed Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services on 24 April 2000, succeeding Mr. Karl Paschke (Germany). The post is for a non-renewable five-year term.Prior to his appointment to the United Nations, Mr. Nair was Managing Director of the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), the largest South-East Asian bank and one of Asia's largest. He was instrumental in creating a processing and servicing hub for the DBS Group's operations, covering a wide range of customer and back office services. He also served asthe Chairman of the Bank's Operational Risk Committee and Chairman of DBS Card Centre Pte.
Mr. Nair came to DBS in 1998, when it acquired the Post Office Savings Bank of Singapore, the national savings bank, where he had been serving from 1997as Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure there, Mr. Nair oversaw the expansion of the Bank's financial services and spearheaded banking automation, and Internet banking.
Before his career in banking, Mr. Nair served his country's Administrative Service for some 20 years. From 1989 to 1997 he was Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, in charge of manpower, finance and information technology. There he introduced new manpower policies, promoted financial and budgeting initiatives, and computerized various administrative and operational systems. From 1986 to 1989 he served as Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Working under the Minister, he helped develop and implement key economic policies and was involved in the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations, as well as in various economic fora of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Mr. Nair joined the elite Administrative Service in 1979, first serving in the Ministry of Finance, where he rose to the rank of Director in charge of expenditure control. While posted to the Ministry, he obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
He started his working career in 1974 at Singapore's Housing and Development Board, the statutory board responsible for public housing, running what was then South East Asia's most automated and biggest brick factory.Mr. Nair has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, which he attended from 1969 to 1973 on a Colombo Plan scholarship.
Mr. Nair has been very active in social and community work. Before coming to the UN, he was Vice President of Singapore Indian Development Association, a self-help group working to raise the educational standards of Indian Singaporeans. He was a member of the Hindu Advisory Board, a statutory body that advises the government on matters concerning Hinduism. He also sat on the Board of Governors of Raffles Institution, Singapore's premier high school and his alma mater, and was the Patron of his constituency's Community Centre Management Committee.
Reporters Without Borders calls on US forces to free Al-Arabiya correspondent in Falluja
Reporters Without Borders has called on US forces in Falluja to release the correspondent for Al-Arabiya satellite television, Abdel Kader Al-Saadi, whom they arrested in the town on 11 November."We call for the immediate release of Abdel Kader Al-Saadi who has been held for six days," said the worldwide press free organisation in a 17 November letter to Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, first expeditionary corps marine commander in Falluja."The American authorities must at least justify the reasons for his prolonged detention," said the letter.
The journalist, who is originally from Falluja, remained in the town to cover the fighting for his TV station and gave himself up to US forces along with numerous civilians living in Falluja.Al-Arabiya announced on 16 November that the US army had arrested its correspondent in Falluja. The US forces confirmed they were holding him and told the station that he would be released "as quickly as possible".Editor Nabil Khatib told Reporters Without Borders that he was "very worried for the safety of Al-Saadi. We are impatiently waiting for the American forces to release him, all the more so since we have already suffered heavy losses in Iraq. Eight of our employees have died since March 2003, three of them journalists killed by the American army."
According to Al-Arabiya, their correspondent was arrested on 11 November "with a large number of other citizens" who obeyed military orders to civilians to gather in Falluja's mosques. Al-Saadi was carrying proof that he was a journalist.Al-Saadi covered the fighting between Islamist insurgents and US and Iraqi forces until 11 November, on which date the TV station lost all contact with him.Reporter Ali Al-Khatib and cameraman Ali Abdel Aziz of Al-Arabiya were killed on 18 March 2004 by US shooting at a check-point as they covered the aftermath of a rocket attack on a Baghdad hotel. On 29 March, the American army accepted responsibility for their deaths, saying the shooting was "accidental". Al-Arabiya journalist Mazen Al-Tomaizi was killed by missiles fired from an American helicopter while providing live coverage of an attack on a Bradley tank in the streets of Baghdad.