Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has welcomed a decision by the Office of Communications of the United Kingdom (Ofcom) related to the airing of an interview of a Qatari citizen by a UAE-based TV channel.

The Ofcom decision condemned Abu Dhabi TV channel for broadcasting an interview recorded in the form of alleged confessions by Dr Mahmoud Al Jaida (a Qatari citizen) during his arbitrary detention in Abu Dhabi prison in 2013, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Abu Dhabi TV Channel, affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and licensed by Ofcom, broadcasted the interview on June 28, 2017, the Ofcom decision stated.

NHRC welcomed decision of UK's communications office "Ofcom" to condemn Abu Dhabi TV channel for broadcasting TV interview that was recorded in form of alleged confessions by Dr. Mahmoud Al Jaida (Qatari citizen), during his arbitrary detention in Abu Dhabi prisons in 2013. #QNA pic.twitter.com/mh4OSzT4O8

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) November 9, 2020

The interview was aired under the title “Mahmoud Al Jaidah and the clandestine organization in UAE.”

According to the Ofcom decision, the airing of this interview was a serious violation of its Broadcasting Code and contradicted its principles of fairness and privacy.

For NHRC, the Ofcom decision is an initial step toward justice for the concerned citizen who has been subjected to arbitrary arrest, torture and degrading treatment at the hands of the UAE authorities.

The Abu Dhabi TV channel had accused him and the state of Qatar of terrorism, NHRC pointed out.

"Since his arrest, the NHRC followed up the case of Dr Al Jaidah and provided him with legal and psychological support in preparing the necessary files to prosecute those involved in the case, knowing that there is another case pending for resolution before Ofcom."

NHRC reiterated that it will leave no stone unturned in addressing the unfair treatment citizens and residents have faced as a consequence of the illegal blockade.

Just earlier this week, Qatar Airways (QA) welcomed a judgment issued by the English High Court in favor of the airline against the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news channel that had aired a video which included an animation depicting a QA aircraft being intercepted and potentially being shot down by a fighter jet in the context of the illegal blockade.

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Cover Image Credit: The Peninsula