Comments on: Screening – The Jaweed Al Ghussein Story

By: nehad ismail

nehad ismail — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:22:46 +0000

I enjoyed the screening and the discussion that followed. I agree with Jafar Ramini who cited examples of human right abuses in the UAE. Hugh Colver summed it up effectyively when he demanded that the Abu Dhabi Government must apologize and deal with this issue.
I repeat my earlier comments by saying that the Abu Dhabi leadership must do the decent thing, offer a public apology and make appropriate compensation to the Al-Ghussein family who suffered pain and substantial material loss.
Stephen Desmond’s powerful documentary deserves a wider audience and I agree in this respect with Bakr Oweida. The film itself needs some refinements here and there.

By: nehad ismail

nehad ismail — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:43:55 +0000

I have attended the screening last night. This is the second time I see the film. My comments and observations are:
Desmond’s film is a powerful exposition of the scandalous collusion between Abu Dhabi and the PLA. This may be a reason why Arabic Mainstream Media would not touch it.
During the discussion after the screening someone asked why Abu Dhabi got itself involved in the illegal kidnapping of Jaweed Al-Ghussein. My guess is that during the 1990s Arafat was influential and powerful and his request to the UAE Rulers to help out in the abduction of a fellow Palestinian couldn’t be ignored. They felt they had to oblige and please Arafat. It would seem unpatriotic not to co-operate.
I agree with Mr. Jafar Ramini who cited examples of human right abuses in the UAE and Jafar’s assertion that Jaweed Al-Ghussein was incapable of committing the “embezzlement” he was accused of.
I also agree with Mr. Hugh Colver who said it on film that the accusations and kidnapping were aimed at undermining the image and reputation of Mr. Al-Ghussein. Hugh also said Abu Dhabi can make a public apology and compensate Al-Ghussein family and put an end to this embarassing episode.
I repeat my demand echoing Hugh Colver’s that Abu Dhabi should come clean and sort this messy affair out once and for all.

By: Ruth Goodman

Ruth Goodman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:28:55 +0000

Commenting on Josephine Bacon’s comment applauding Israel’s sham democracy,
I do’t think this is the appropriate place to praise Israel’s democracy given its inhumane treatment of Palestinians, demolition of homes and the illegal confiscation of land. Israel might be a democracy but only for the Jewish element of society. I should know that.
History shows that elections and democracy brought about the likes of Hitler, Robert Mugabe and Ariel Sharon.

By: Josephine Bacon

Josephine Bacon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:44:13 +0000

“Abu Dhabi is oil-rich and could be a beacon for a new Middle East. None of the countries in the region are models of democracy but, given the history of the area, this is not entirely surprising”. There is indeed one country that is a model of democracy — Israel. But it is always blotted out of the whole Middle East by its numerous enemies, of whom you are clearly one. And what does “given the history of the area” mean? Colonialism? That is no excuse, there are plenty of ex-colonies that have become democracies, even in Africa. The Arab countries of the Middle East have poisoned themselves with their oil riches. They will not change until the oil runs out.

By: nehad ismail

nehad ismail — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:39:54 +0000

I beign by thanking Lord Soley for raising in the House of Lords the question of Jaweed Al-Ghussein’s illegal kidnapping in the UAE.
I believe the UAE is under obligation to acknoweldge the sordid role played by its security people in the illegal abduction of Jaweed. The least the UAE Government could do is to offer an apology with appropriate compensation for the material loss of business and assets as well as compensation for the pain and anguish the Al-Ghussein family had to go through over the years.

By: Stephen Desmond

Stephen Desmond — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:01:38 +0000

Lord Soley writes for ePolitix.com ahead of his question in the House of Lords on the Abu Dhabi government: http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/abu-dhabi-must-establish-rule-of-law/
“Abu Dhabi is oil-rich and could be a beacon for a new Middle East. None of the countries in the region are models of democracy but, given the history of the area, this is not entirely surprising.
I take the view that the rule of law is essential to any modern state and a necessary precursor to full democracy. Several abuses of the law in Abu Dhabi give cause for concern.
The worst case is that of the brutal treatment handed out to an employee of Sheikh Essa, shown dramatically on YouTube. You will be shocked if you view this â€“ it is appalling.
The Al-Ghussein family is also a worrying example of the way the state has used its power to destroy a businessman and his family.
Mr Al-Ghussein was a respected Palestinian businessman running one of the most successful companies in Abu Dhabi.
He opposed the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and earned himself the wrath of Yasser Arafat, who enlisted the support of the Abu Dhabi government and had him kidnapped and secreted out of the country to be held in Gaza.
He was given category one status by the UN working party on arbitrary detention. There has been a long-running attempt by the family to get their property back.
Sadly Mr Al-Ghussein died a few years ago.
Attempts to get the family’s property restored in Abu Dhabi have all failed but, as pressure grows, there is hope that the government will address the issue.
Failure to do so will send a damaging message to other potential investors in the country.
More recently a British naturalised Sudanese business man’s son vanished in Abu Dhabi and the Observer newspaper reports that Mr Elhaj believes that corrupt UAE officials handed his son over to kidnappers – similar to the way Mr Al-Ghussein was given up.
Abu Dhabi could take the lead on the rule of law. They have enough national wealth to establish a school of law in the territory.
In my question I will seek to start a debate in the UK, EU and US where I am in discussions with other legislators about this problem.
It needs a joint approach from everyone who would like to see Abu Dhabi establish the rule of law.”