ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER Sunday 2 June 2013 23 Rajab 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5718 Price: QR2 Qatar First Bank Shukla quits 2012 income as IPL hits QR113.2m chairman Business | 17 Sport | 27 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Cybercrime Protest in Turkey draft law draws flak ‘Freedom of expression violated’ DOHA: A draft cybercrime law bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, approved by the State Cabinet saying the cybercrime draft law late last week has kicked up a approved by the Cabinet would row, with Qatar’s media free- restrict online expression on news dom watchdog severely criti- websites and social media. cising it for dealing with issues The CPJ urged the Premier to that concern freedom of expres- reconsider the draft law. “We ask sion on the Internet. you to postpone its (the bill or the Upset over it, the New York- draft) submission to the Advisory based Committee to Protect Council and consult media, legal Journalists (CPJ) has also raised and human rights representa- the issue with the Qatari govern- tives to ensure that its provi- ment, urging a review. sions do not infringe on freedom The Director of Doha Centre of expression.” for Media Freedom (DCMF), Jan The CPJ said in its letter to A wooden handcart and a plant holder were set on fire during clashes between Turkish protesters and riot police during a demonstration against the Keulen, told a popular local news the Premier that countries that demolition of Taksim Gezi Park in Taksim Square in Istanbul yesterday. Report on page 10 website, Doha News, cybercrime throughout the Middle East is a separate issue from freedom and beyond look to Qatar as a of expression on the Internet. media leader in recognition of “This freedom (of expression) its Constitution, which guaran- should be guaranteed. I don’t tees freedom of expression and think it’s a good idea to mix the freedom of the press, and in light two things. I think those very of Al Jazeera’s ambitious and Govts urged not to jail tweeters general provisions and stipula- expanding global reach. tions could be abused.” “Qatar should affirm its posi- DOHA: A conference on social and Heritage, H E Dr Hamad bin concepts. Arguments in favour of people won’t respond to them. “I think any attempt to regu- tion as a global leader by ensur- media here yesterday called on Abdulaziz Al Kuwari launched the tweeters should be considered but Twitter has a big role in influ- late content on the Internet is ing that the cybercrime bill does governments not to jail tweet- initiative. not at the expense of rule of law. encing decision-makers and the bound to fail due to the worldwide not impinge on a free and open ers who breach the rules of “We call on the government He said the media law should identity of users should be dis- nature of the Internet”. Internet, which is a necessary decency and morality. not to harass tweeters and abol- have provisions to contain the closed so that it will have more The Washington Post published condition for the exercise of press Many speakers, however, criti- ish imprisonment for tweeters negative impact of journalism. impact, said another participant. an Associated Press dispatch freedom and freedom of expres- cised the practice of using fake violating rules,” Jabir Al Harami, Ammar Mohammed, noted People using abusive language from Doha that said Qatar’s gov- sion,” added the CPJ. names on Twitter, saying it will editor-in-chief of Al Sharq, told Qatari social media enthusiast, on Twitter are not matured and ernment had backed new Internet Critics not wanting their damage the credibility of the the forum. said he had been listed among the mostly express frustration. codes that widen controls over names in print due to the sensi- influential social media. He said tweeters have the top 20 influential Arab tweeters. Use of fake names and restric- news websites and online com- tivity of the issue, meanwhile, said The first tweeters forum was right to use fake user names, but “My goal is to become number one tion in the number of charac- mentary after similar clamp- they were surprised why the draft organised by Al Sharq website to it should not be used as a cover in the region.” ters — a maximum 140 — were downs by other GCC countries. was not discussed with those mark its first anniversary. The to violate rules of morality and Faisal bin Jassim Al Thani described as major challenges fac- The CPJ has, on the other concerned before the Cabinet’s forum also saw the official launch decency or to commit crimes. said tweeters should disclose the ing tweeters. Bogus accounts and hand, shot off a communication to approval. of the Doha Initiative for Social The Minister, in his speech, source of information posted on re-tweeting should be discour- the Prime Minister and Foreign THE PENINSULA Media supported by Al Sharq. said Qatar’s new media law their accounts, otherwise they aged, speakers said. Minister H E Sheikh Hamad Continued on page 5 The Minister of Culture, Arts will incorporate human rights will not have credibility and THE PENINSULA Nine killed by Oklahoma tornadoes Draft media law Qaradawi calls for could be delayed DOHA: The draft of the much- awaited new media law is still jihad against Assad under discussion and is unlikely to see the light of day anytime DOHA: Leading Sunni cleric Dr Sheikh Yousuf Al Qaradawi yes- soon. terday called for holy war against the Syrian regime after fighters “The draft is still under dis- from Shia Lebanese group Hezbollah intervened to help President cussion,” the Minister of Culture, Bashar Al Assad. Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad His website said Al Qaradawi called on all Muslims in all countries to bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said head to Syria if they were able to do that to defend the Syrian people. when confronted with a ques- He said those who could fight should go and fight and stand by the tion on when the new law was Syrian people killed at the hands of the regime and now being killed at expected to be out, at a meeting the hands of what he called the party of Satan. The call underscores of Qatari tweeters here yesterday. widening sectarian divisions in the region over the war in Syria. To recall, the minister was He said that God will pour his anger and curses on those who sup- quoted by media reports as saying port Assad and will take revenge from them, and swore that the Syrian in June last year that the draft people will be victorious against Hassan Nasr Al Shaytan (Satan), was expected to be approved by referring to Nasrallah. Hezbollah means party of God. the State Cabinet after Ramadan. Al Qaradawi, in his late 80s, swore he would go and fight had he been able to do so. REUTERS A tornado-damaged plane at Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Aviation Technology building in El Reno, Assad cousin loses See also page 7 Oklahoma yesterday. Nine people were killed by tornadoes that swept through central Oklahoma. Report on page 11 Cyprus citizenship NICOSIA: Cyprus has rescinded citizenship bestowed upon a Syrian billionaire sus- pected by the European Union Guantanamo hunger strikers demand new doctors of helping to bankroll President Bashar Al Assad’s government, LONDON: Thirteen Guantanamo Bay The signatories, including former UK Guantanamo, the military command run- your life,” they wrote. “You can make a dif- authorities said yesterday. detainees on hunger strike have written resident Shaker Aamer, protest that the ning the facility, allow “independent” doc- ference. You can choose to stop actively Rami Makhlouf, a maternal an open letter to their military doctors force-feedings administered by military tors selected by their attorneys to treat contributing to the abusive conditions I am cousin of Assad, is considered insisting they receive independent, non- physicians are “extremely painful” and “in them. Army Lt Col Todd Breasseale, a currently enduring.” part of the president’s inner cir- military medical treatment and appeal- violation of the ethics of your profession.” Pentagon spokesman, said there is “no The hunger strike, a high-profile problem cle and one of the most influential ing to the conscience of their physicians. The May 30 letter was co-ordinated by precedent” for allowing civilian doctors to for the Obama administration, is approach- men in Syria. “I cannot trust your advice, because you attorneys for 13 detainees, nine of whom treat detainees. ing its fifth month. Of the 166 detainees at Cyprus granted him citizen- are responsible to your superior military signed it directly. Four signed through their Despite the impassioned tone of the let- Guantanamo, 103 are refusing food. ship in January 2011, and it was officers who require you to treat me by lawyers. ter, the detainees expressed “some sympa- Thirty-six of them are being forcibly fed extended to his wife and three means unacceptable to me, and you put Another nine lawyers, some of whom thy” for their military doctors. through enteral feeds, five of whom are sons. But in August 2012, the cab- your duty to them above your duty to me represent detainees, added their names to “Whether you continue in the military being observed at the camp hospital. inet decided to withdraw citizen- as a doctor,” the detainees wrote. the letter. or return to civilian practice, you will have Breasseale said none “currently have any ship of the family, which a legal “Your dual loyalties make trusting you The detainees expressed an “urgent to live with what you have done and not life-threatening conditions.” review panel approved in March.