Mildred ([info]_yungfuktoi_) wrote,
@ 2008-02-11 07:15:00
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Entry tags:dubai-gate

Dubai responds...finally
I guess they had to, really.
Tourists Get Drug Warning

Listen to this:

“These laws help discourage anyone from carrying or using drugs,”
 Backpeddle faster? Where was this information on any of your websites before these innocent people made the fatal decision to visit your country?

If you were in any doubt that these recent arrests were not for the purposes of setting a cruel example, there you go. FIRST HAND.


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[info]wrayb
2008-02-11 07:52 am UTC (link)
Feh. This is barely a start as far as warning people now and does not really account for cases such a Diz's: profiling and then going to extreme to pin something on him.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 03:51 am UTC (link)
It's the diplomatic equivalent of saying: 'yeah, WUT.... I meant to fall down the stairs.'

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[info]silentshout
2008-02-11 08:13 am UTC (link)
piss-takers. too little, too late. what are they going to do about the people they are keeping wrongfully imprisoned?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 03:53 am UTC (link)
Hopefully do the right thing. Possibly, they'll make an example out of them and punish them for the attention this has received. We're hoping they do the right thing, before they damage both our lives and their reputations more.

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[info]hasimir
2008-02-11 09:38 am UTC (link)
Yeah, that's a pretty appalling attitude they've got there. Though I don't expect much in the way of freedom of the press over there.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 03:54 am UTC (link)
I was actually not expecting that sort of tone at all, although I anticipated it would be a defensive one. I'm a little bit embarrassed.
Still, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until they've ad the chance to review these cases.

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888_888
2008-02-11 10:21 am UTC (link)
The 'senior' judge meant to say...

"If that 'anyone' should decide to visit Dubai for a jolly jaunt and find they're not carrying drugs, rest assured the powers that be will invent your very own illegal cargo resulting in an indeterminate prison term with immediate effect. What's more, tourists should also be aware of our super efficient justice system - to save time, we've done away with bothersome trials, recognised legal representation and those pesky charge sheets. That way, I can get a round of golf in before 5pm."

It seems the judiciary is more than happy to use English when they're chatting to the media about how 'successful' they've been. Funny how these language skills are instantly lost back at the police station.

My friends in the Middle East suggested most of what you have already tried, for instance letter writing to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, press coverage, media campaigns etc. I'm hoping they'll come up with something new to try. :/

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[info]deadlydoll
2008-02-12 12:35 am UTC (link)
how do you write to His Highness?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:02 am UTC (link)
He has a PO BOX, evidently.
The campaign is sending him the first letter tomorrow, and another in around a week.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:01 am UTC (link)
yeah, it looks like that... but to be fair the judge hasn't seen every case so he's probably just issuing a statement out of necessity and felt the safest card to play was the zero-tolerance one. As this gets more coverage, perhaps he'll he'll see where we're coming from.
Or maybe they'll continue being Orwellian and sod human rights. Remains to be seen, I guess.

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[info]vivacious_g
2008-02-11 03:30 pm UTC (link)
Do not let up on the embassy. Keep making lots of noise.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:03 am UTC (link)
Heh....that's exactly what we've done. They've actually asked us to stop because all the calls from different sources were getting confusing :)
To be fair, though, they can't do anything. No country has successfully lobbied for the release of one of their own in Dubai.

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[info]marauderautarki
2008-02-11 08:40 pm UTC (link)
At least it's a response and there's some backpedalling involved. I think all the news and fire they're getting for this is having an effect, even on such a corrupt, closed-off government. I can only hope if the pressure keeps up, and increases, they'll break and everyone can go home.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:05 am UTC (link)
Well, at least they know the world is onto them, and their treatment of foreigners is out in the open. They either change their strategy, or they stand to lose their tourism and foreign industry. It works in their favour, as well as ours, and I hope they are able to recognize this and do the right thing.

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[info]djeternaldarkne
2008-02-12 10:23 am UTC (link)
Anything new on the Duabi fronts today?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:06 am UTC (link)
Sort of...nothing conclusive, so abstaining from an entry until we have more detail. So far, seemingly positive developments, but it's difficult to cling to any hope when dealing with the authorities there.

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[info]rxgreene
2008-02-12 01:39 pm UTC (link)
Maybe it is time to organize a protest in front of the Dubai embassy in London?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:07 am UTC (link)
We are definitely considering it, and a good suggestion.
I'm returning to the UK to sort out his affairs, and if he isn't home by then we will definitely make a show of it.

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Latest from German Consulate
(Anonymous)
2008-02-13 03:36 pm UTC (link)
This came through to Endemol, 12th Feb, 14:04, via Radha Stirling who spoke to The German Consulate - she was eager to point out it will need confirming elsewhere:

1. Urine tests are negative
2. No information on the "dirt" tests. It seems they may have dropped this investigation
3. Illegal substances positive on the melatonin pills (perhaps illegal pharmaceuticals in legally small quantities as available in Dubai OTC too)

Cat is confirmed to have been returned to the airport detention centre.

Matt McFaul

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Re: Latest from German Consulate
[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-13 04:58 pm UTC (link)
Hi Matt,
There are major updates, but we want to wait for confirmation before going public. We can confirm he has been retained at the main Prison, though. I'll have more info later.

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[info]filishom
2008-02-13 04:09 pm UTC (link)
http://www.fairtrials.net/

encase you havnt spoken to them yet :)
x

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:17 am UTC (link)
I have, although not in the capacity of having them represent us. They've been working alongside us in getting this story to the press. A terrific group of people, they are.
Thanks for that :)

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[info]androktone
2008-02-13 06:02 pm UTC (link)
Um.. I've got contact names/telephone numbers for Cosmopolitan and Scarlett magazine here if you could use them. We talk to them for work. They'd probably be interested in a "My husband wrongfully arrested in dubai" and pretty pictures if you didn't mind debasing yourself ;)

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:16 am UTC (link)
Hey dude, I'm totally there. Whatever I can do to get the message out there.
Shoot me an email, and I'll give you all of my contact info, as well as the press release, which will make your task a lot easier :)
Thanks so much for that!

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[info]vivacious_g
2008-02-13 09:09 pm UTC (link)
Androktone is onto something, you should go for that. Meantime, is he still able to receive letters? The kid drew him a really great picture and I wanted to drop him a hello too. love you.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:14 am UTC (link)
Aw, bless!
He was able to get letters in the detention facility at the airport, but I think the prison, where he is now, is an entirely different kettle of fish. I'll ask his mate Scott about that and let you know, but either way send it to me and I'll make sure he sees it whenever he is able to (even if that's after he's released).

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[info]aliasrob
2008-02-13 11:18 pm UTC (link)
Hey there - what's the story with the legal fund?

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[info]tetsuo2
2008-02-14 01:20 am UTC (link)
Yeah, is that 4 real?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:10 am UTC (link)
More soon. Waiting for all the gears to start working, then I'll make an update.

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[info]tetsuo2
2008-02-14 02:41 am UTC (link)
25,000 quid that's a lot of root canals

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:09 am UTC (link)
It's a lot of mittens to knit, too.
Damn arthritis.

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[info]tetsuo2
2008-02-15 09:59 am UTC (link)
u probably tried this already http://www.dubai.ae/en.portal

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 05:11 am UTC (link)
More soon. Waiting for all the gears to start working, then I'll make an update.

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[info]tequilazaire
2008-02-14 09:16 am UTC (link)
I like the above idea of protesting outside Dubai's Embassy (as many as possible really)...any pressure provided it's sustained would be helpful I assume. Sometimes it seems nations like that only respond when pressure is put on their outside interests and businesses. Dubai has their hands in a lot of western countries and placing direct pressure on everything from those they do business with to outright boycotts of what said businesses produce...could at the very least gain some attention to the issue at hand.

That said continued luck with all you need to do and take care of in this situation. "Chin up" as it were...it's clear those aware of what's going on grow more annoyed at the behavior Dubai's government has displayed each day...it's only a matter of time before a floodgate of outrage opens and hopefully sends their tourism numbers to all time lows.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-16 06:17 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, we're considering a full-on boycott and protest campaign, but justice might still be done. If they sentence him we will definitely push this to the limit.

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-14 05:09 pm UTC (link)
I'm still reeling at how flawed the whole thing is. They're criminalising the substances themselves, rather than genuine criminals. Even with high-profile 'example' cases they may indeed put off actual drug smugglers/users, but it won't stop someone else being put away for having poppy seeds from a bread roll on their clothes.

Am still trying to find a Dubai based contact who may have some sway.

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-16 06:18 pm UTC (link)
It's totally absurd and wrong. There is simply no justification for it, and I would challenge any of their officials to look me in the eye and tell me anyway.
Thanks for your support through all of this.

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-16 06:22 pm UTC (link)
Did you get my email about CNN?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-16 06:34 pm UTC (link)
No, I don't think I did...which email did you send it to?

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-16 06:45 pm UTC (link)
dubai@infocorp...

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-16 06:56 pm UTC (link)
I don't know that one, could you please re-send it to either dubai@futurecorp.co.uk or mildredvon@yahoo.com?

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[info]miss_soap
2008-02-16 08:51 pm UTC (link)
No, stupid me; it was to the futurecorp address. Have re-sent on to that second addy.

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[info]black_rainbow_
2008-02-16 01:17 pm UTC (link)
I still find what they've written not totally clear. They seem to only imply illegal drugs and not perscriptions. I don't know if thats just me?

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[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-16 06:21 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, they're throwing the term 'drugs' around because as long as they keep using such an incendiary word in association with the detainees the more they can cloud the real issue at hand. It's their equivalent of playing the 'Hitler' card.
This has nothing to do with drugs or trafficking, but at least we got them to admit their motives for doing this to us and other innocent families.

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