Abu Dhabi justifies arrest of RTS journalists
Two journalists from the French-speaking Swiss television station RTS were detained and interrogated by police in Abu Dhabi for 50 hours on Thursday. The Arab Emirates are of the opinion that the journalists violated the applicable rules.
The National Media Council (NMC), which oversees the activities of media in the Arab Emirates, on Tuesday defended its action against the two RTS journalists. The NMC respects all media that report on the country, it said. However, the statement said the activities of the media must comply with the applicable rules and laws.
The NMC had knowledge that jounalist Serge Enderlin and cameraman Jon Bjorgvinsson had permission to film the Louvre in Abu Dhabi and its surroundings. However, the police had seen the two when they entered the Mussafah security zone. They were therefore questioned by the police and released without any conditions. Their footage was confiscated.
Reporters without Borders criticize action
On Monday, the organization Reporters Without Borders condemned the actions of the authorities. It was intimidation and the action was disproportionate. The organization demanded the immediate return of the confiscated material.
According to RTS, Enderlin and Bjorgvinsson wanted to film a report for the program "Mise au Point" in connection with the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. As they were filming in an open-air market, they were arrested, he said. Both were interrogated several times and sometimes for nine hours without a break. They were blindfolded and taken from one place to another.
According to RTS, their material, camera, computer and storage media, were confiscated. The authorities had wanted to find out whether the journalists accredited for the Louvre opening were working for an NGO (non-governmental organization) or a third country. RTS condemned "the attempt at intimidation and attack on press freedom."
Apparently, the authorities wanted to know why the journalists had taken pictures of a market. They had been annoyed that Pakistani workers were being filmed. The working conditions of migrants in the Arab Emirates have been criticized by NGOs on several occasions.
Sunday return
The two journalists were able to return to Switzerland on Sunday night, but without most of their material. This was reported by RTS on its website over the weekend. The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors on Saturday after more than ten years of planning and construction. On more than 6000 square meters, the museum will tell the story of humanity and emphasize the commonalities of cultures.
