Ref: 60/2009

 

Date: 04 May 2009

 

Time: 10: 40 GMT 

 

Journalist Mustafa Sabri Detained for 2 Weeks by Palestinian Preventive Security Services in Qalqilya

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the West Bank’s security services continued attacks against journalists. The most recent incident occurred two weeks ago, when journalist Mustafa Sabri was detained by the Preventive Security Service (PSS) in Qalqilia. At the time of publication, Sabri remains in detention.

PCHR considers Sabri’s detention to be an attack against the freedom of the press, and a violation of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression. These rights are guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law, and international human rights law. The Center demands that Sabri be released immediately. PCHR is also notes with concern Sabri’s transfer to the UNRWA hospital in Qalqilia.

PCHR’s investigations indicate that at approximately 17:00 on Tuesday, 21 April 2009, two PSS cars arrived at the house of journalist Mustafa Ali Abdullah Sabri, 43, in the north of Qalqila. Sabri was arrested in a nearby orchard and then transferred to PSS headquarters in Khellat Nofal in Qalqilia city. At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 3 May 2005, Sabri phoned his wife and asked her to send their UNRWA security insurance card to UNRWA Hospital in Qalqilia city. He told his wife that he would be transferred to the hospital for medical examination. Sabri’s wife and sisters headed to the hospital, where PSS guards initially prevented them from seeing Sabri. His wife reported that due to Sabri’s feeble condition, she first thought that he was on hunger strike. However, Sabri told her that he was suffering from high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In the presence of the PSS, one of his sisters asked Sabri if he had been beaten, but he denied.

Immediately after Sabri’s arrest, a PSS legal advisor informed PCHR that: “Sabri is detained by an order of the military prosecution for security reasons. He is being questioned now. No family visits would be allowed till the questioning process is over”.

PCHR note that Sabri is a reporter for the Falastine Magazine that is published from Gaza. He is also a member for the Hamas movement in Qalqilia municipal council. Sabri has been arrested several times, most recently by the Palestinian General Intelligence Service on 31 July 2008 in Qalqilia city. On 13 August 2008, and despite his civilian status, the military prosecution issued an order to keep Sabri detained. On 10 September 2008, the Palestinian High Court reviewed case no. 229/2008 and ordered that Sabri be released immediately, postponing the implementation of the sentence. 

PCHR strongly condemns this attack and:

1.      Affirms that journalist Sabri is civilian, and therefore does not come within the military prosecution’s jurisdiction.

2.      Notes with concern repeated attacks against the freedom of the press, and the right to freedom of opinion and expression. PCHR reiterates the fundamental importance of these rights, which are essential to ensure protection for journalists and media and to enable them to freely fulfill their duties.

3.      Reiterates that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is affirmed in both the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.

4.      Calls upon the security services of the two Palestinian governments in Ramallah and Gaza to treat journalists with respect and to avoid drawing them into the conflict.

5.      Reminds that on 20 February 2009, the Palestinian High Court of Justice explicitly prohibited political detention. All law enforcement officials must respect the decision of the Court.