Mildred ([info]_yungfuktoi_) wrote,
@ 2008-02-04 02:31:00
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Entry tags:dubai-gate

Good news. See, I'm not a total downer :)
Some progress has been made in our campaign already, and the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTMC) in Dubai has responded to our communication with cooperation:

"We are taking immediate steps to include relevant information on our website."

This is fantastic, because now travelers can have easy access to information they need to stay out of the sort of trouble we're in.
We're still faced with the task of getting Diz out, but at least his detention has not been totally in vain and others will benefit from his experience.

2000 signatures: massive thanks to everyone. Internet friends FTW!


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[info]jedwardtremlett
2008-02-04 02:46 am UTC (link)
Woot!

Keep on their asses about putting that info up on the website, though. Otherwise it'll get put off for tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...

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[info]joelledirty
2008-02-04 02:56 am UTC (link)
You are remarkable! I hope this resolves itself quickly.

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[info]marauderautarki
2008-02-04 03:03 am UTC (link)
That is good news. :-) I hope it's also a sign of the dam starting to break.

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[info]djeternaldarkne
2008-02-04 03:24 am UTC (link)
Good to hear! Now hopefully Diz will be out soon.

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[info]fairytalevegas
2008-02-04 04:03 am UTC (link)
Woo! Yay interwebz!

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[info]vivacious_g
2008-02-04 05:02 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the update, been thinking about you guys a lot! xoxoxo

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[info]deadlydoll
2008-02-04 05:47 am UTC (link)
awesome

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[info]888_888
2008-02-04 08:45 am UTC (link)
Hi there,

Just wanted to say I'm wishing you all the luck possible. That place sounds evil. I hope he comes back as soon as possible.

My business partner (and friend) is in Dubai at the moment - he tells me he is followed night and day by government officials. He also has to be very careful what he writes in emails and says on the phone. Some of his relatives have had rough times in Dubai.

I hope you get some good news soon.

Rob x

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:01 am UTC (link)
Hey, how the hell have you been? I miss Vladwatch :(
I'm really sorry to hear your friend is having a negative experience in Dubai, as well, and feel free to pass my contact information along to him if he wants to tell his story.
Thanks for popping by with your support, it means a lot to me.

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[info]888_888
2008-02-08 09:04 pm UTC (link)
Hey there. Thanks for the info - I will do.

Vlad came back today. :)

x

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[info]anachronaut
2008-02-04 10:47 am UTC (link)
I’ve been asking around and getting people to make certain inquiries…

From what I’ve been told, It would be embarrassing for them, for Diz to not be guilty, since they obviously profiled him based on race and appearances.

Therefore it’s more convenient for them to decide he’s guilty, because it saves them face.

What is needed, is a way that they can save face, and let Diz go… although presumably they’d have just deported him.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:05 am UTC (link)
This si what they do to everyone who protests their innocence. That's why detainees are held for up to a year on no charges: you either sign the confession and go through the system or you're trapped in limbo. Some really scary first-hand accounts are coming in.
The thing is, even if he is charged, and they make false allegations against him, we still have a good chance of getting him out by publicizing his experience. Dubai does not need bad publicity right now, as it's all seemingly coming out this year. There's a massive story about to go live about this, which we're hoping will highlight Diz's case as well. Hopefully this will drive Dubai to change their policies of arresting travelers and cashing them in.

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-06 09:42 am UTC (link)
Are you now planning to go to the British press? Whilst I hate and abhor their approach, this is the kind of story something like the Mail would pounce on.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 05:14 pm UTC (link)
We've given our story to the BBC for both the website and radio, and the piece will be published Friday. I wouldn't rule out the tabloids, although I wanted to hit the big guys first. After the BBC air the story, then we'll go to both local papers and tabloids, but for today we're focusing on German publications because the Sheik is in town. We want him to be aware of the situation, because justice relies quite heavily on his benevolence.

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-06 05:18 pm UTC (link)
Good call. I shall cross everything for you.

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[info]anachronaut
2008-02-04 10:52 am UTC (link)
Putting pressure on them might make them let up… but it’s my guess that it might provoke a standoff situation.

They will refuse to be seen as weak or lenient… or more specifically wrong, so instead they might just dig in their heels.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:05 am UTC (link)
Yeah, I think this definitely needs to be handled delicately. You make a good point.

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[info]emmelinemay
2008-02-04 11:12 am UTC (link)
Hey honey, am spreading the word where I can.

Please do let me know if I can help with campaign - I think what you are doing is amazing, and needed, not just for Diz but for all those poor sods stuck out there alone without such an amazing friend as you.

my email is emmelinemay[at]gmail[dot]com please do let me know if I can do *anything*.

Thinking about you and Diz xxx

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:07 am UTC (link)
Hey you! Thanks so much for helping us get the message out there. I will be posting updates if I need anything doing, and thanks for offering!

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[info]emmelinemay
2008-02-06 09:58 am UTC (link)
Everyone here in the office has signed the petition. One dude here has a friend who was detained when she was in Dubai simply for walking around on her own. I asked him if she'd like to send her story in, but she was so upset by it at the time she hates to remember it, and really didn't want to relive it.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 05:09 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I can imagine that must have been horrible for her. If she changes her mind, have her get in touch. I know we wouldn't be talking about our experience, either, if we didn't feel that we had to.
Thank you, and send my love to the folks at your work :)

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News coverage
[info]cyberai_dan
2008-02-04 03:12 pm UTC (link)
Hi Mildred,

You may or may not remember me, I visited your house in london a couple of years ago with Rachel, and live with Nic. I've met Diz a couple of times out and about.

Rachel asked me to think about how to get Diz's story into the news (as I work at the BBC). I've discussed with my journalist collegue and have a plan for approaching BBC News, Routers & Associated Press.

Could you contact me on dan@devr.co.uk or add me to MSN cyberai_dan@hotmail.com. I need an email from you to start things off with certain information in it.

Let me know!

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Re: News coverage
[info]whenuarethemoon
2008-02-04 06:43 pm UTC (link)
How wonderful that you would use your position to help Mildreds partner out and spread the word about these terrible goings on. Really, wonderful.

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Re: News coverage
[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:08 am UTC (link)
Sorted ;)
I didn't know you lived with Nic. I'll have to pop over and visit the next time I'm in London.

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[info]benson3
2008-02-04 04:20 pm UTC (link)
Excellent News!

Now let us all keep our intentions firmly on seeing Mr. Diz come home.........

He is a lucky man to have you on his side Doll!

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-06 03:09 am UTC (link)
He's a lucky guy for being so fuckin' well liked :)
Thanks for your support through all of this, Benson.

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[info]liz_lowlife
2008-02-04 05:23 pm UTC (link)
That is good news. Thank heavens he has someone as wonderful as you to keep the ball rolling!

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[info]whenuarethemoon
2008-02-04 06:42 pm UTC (link)
Great news. Hopefully he's home with you soon!

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Hampstead & Highgate Express Press Release
[info]radha_stirling
2008-02-06 06:22 pm UTC (link)
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/news/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Newshamhigh&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshamhigh&itemid=WeED06%20Feb%202008%2016%3A14%3A27%3A850

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