BBC complaint escalated over safeguarding failures around Abdullah al-Yazouri

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has written to the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU), addressing the BBC’s safeguarding responsibilities for 15-year-old Palestinian child Abdullah Al-Yazouri, and how they have put his safety and mental well-being at risk, in contravention of BBC guidance on safeguarding young people.

BBC: failing in its basic safeguarding duties

ICJP previously wrote to the BBC on 26 February and 28 February, to inquire and subsequently issue a complaint regarding the BBC’s decision to remove the Hoyo Films documentary programme Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from its BBC iPlayer platform, which has been met with a wave of condemnation.

Central to the manufactured outrage against the film was the fact that the film featured 15-year-old Abdullah as a narrator, whose father is Dr. Ayman Al-Yazouri, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Gaza.

The BBC responded to ICJP’s initial letters, explaining that the ECU would be taking the investigation forward.

In light of these developments, ICJP has written a letter to the ECU highlighting concerns regarding safeguarding responsibilities towards Abdullah, and the ramifications that the BBC’s decision has on his safety and mental wellbeing

Abdullah himself gave a follow-up interview with Middle East Eye, in which he said “so [if] anything happens to me, the BBC is responsible for it”. He also cites how he and his family did not receive any payment beyond ‘personal spendings’, presumably a reference to expenses, and that he did not receive any apology from the BBC for the removal of the documentary.

He cited the mental strain of this episode, saying “some anonymous people… had tired to hide the true suffering of Gaza’s children by attacking me and my family, cyber bullying, harassment, and all kinds of things, and stalking too, which had damaged me, my mental state, and my family.”

No due diligence

As well as highlighting the mental impact this decision has had on Abdullah, ICJP’s letter also addresses “the BBC’s lack of communication with the contributor and absence of any due diligence measures to afford him with the necessary protection, considering his presence in a dangerous geographical area, with risk of being directly targeted.”

This decision appears to fall short of guidance pertaining to safeguarding the welfare of young people, stating that the BBC “must take due care over the physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of under-18s who take part or are otherwise involved in our editorial content, irrespective of any consent given by them or by a parent, guardian or other person acting in loco parentis. Their welfare must take priority over any editorial requirements.”

Featured image via the Canary