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UAE regrets UN body's 'misdiagnosis' of restrictions on filming visuals of Iranian attacks
The Ambassador argued that the measures reflect UAE's obligation, under international law, to ensure the safety and protect the human rights of its civilian population
- PUBLISHED: Thu 2 Apr 2026, 6:06 PM
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The UAE has noted with concern a recent press release by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), concerning the situation in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, saying that it included a "misdiagnosis of restrictions" the country imposed to safeguard civilians.
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The OHCHR's statement, published on April 1, 2026, included references to measures adopted by the UAE following the unlawful and unprovoked Iranian aggression since the beginning of the war.
Since war erupted in the region on February 28, 2026, the UAE has imposed restrictions on filming or sharing of footage relating to missile strikes, interceptions, and impact locations.
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"We note with concern that the Office's statement appears to focus on measures taken by countries under attack to protect the safety of their citizens and residents, rather than on the ongoing Iranian strikes against civilians and civilian objects, in blatant violation of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law," Ambassador Jamal Al Musharakh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN and other Organizations in Geneva, said.
Since the war erupted in the region on February 28, 2026, the UAE has imposed such measures on filming or sharing interceptions or locations affected by attacks, urging residents to avoid spreading rumours, refrain from spreading panic and rely on official sources for information.
"It is regrettable that the Office has chosen to generalize these measures while not being sensitive to this context, 34 days after the ongoing and unprovoked terrorist attacks by Iran." UAE air defences have dealt with 2,038 drones, 19 cruise missiles and 457 ballistic missiles launched from Iran since the beginning of the war.
The UAE regrets the Office's misdiagnosis of restrictions on the filming or dissemination of footage relating to missile strikes, interceptions, and impact locations as 'arbitrary and a violation of freedom of expression. The objective of these proportionate measures, that have been implemented in accordance with UAE law, is to prevent harm and ensure the safety and security of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Ambassador Jamal Al Musharakh, Permanent Representative Of The Uae To The Un And Other Organizations In Geneva
Reason behind measures
The statement clarified that the circulation of sensitive footage, misinformation or disinformation, during ongoing attacks, interferes with emergency response operations and places civilian lives in further danger, including from unexploded ordnance, falling debris, secondary strikes, or disruption of rescue and security operations.
Such footage may also reveal information that may be used to conduct further attacks, presenting risks to national security and public safety. "Iran is deliberately targeting civilians and critical civilian infrastructure, and the measures adopted reflect the obligation of the UAE, under international law, to ensure the safety and protect the human rights of its civilian population," Al Musharakh stated.
The UAE measures in this regard are consistent with established international practice concerning operational security in situations of armed aggression.
Yasmin Hussein is an Assistant Digital Editor who believes that every news story carries a human element. Her motto is 'get it first, but first get it right'.