PRESS RELEASE
Released @ 12 hours GMT 24th October 1998
Journalists’ Access To Opposition Leaders is Denied
At the same time as the commencement of the signing ceremony of the Palestinian – Israeli agreement, Palestinian police took new measures to restrict freedom of expression and to prevent opposition groups from publishing their views on the agreement.
Around 9:30 pm yesterday (Friday 23rd October), Palestinian Police Forces sealed off all the roads leading to the house of Sheikh Ahmed Yessin, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas. A dozen journalists working with foreign press agencies were escorted to the Police Headquarters in Gaza City. The twelve journalists, 11 of whom were Palestinian and one foreigner, were all prevented from conducting interviews with Sheikh Yessin.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights ( PCHR) was informed by a number of these journalists that they remained at the Police HQ until after midnight. Furthermore, their camera film and their recordings were confiscated. They were informed by the police that no such interviews are allowed until prior permission from the police department has been given.
PCHR condemns this measure taken by the Palestinian police, which constitutes a grave violation of both the individual right of expression and the right of the press to publish and receive information. The right of expression is a basic right guaranteed by the International Conventions of Human Rights. Moreover, it is the cornerstone for the building of a democratic society.
