Ref: 15/2007

Date: 22 March  2007

Palestinian Civil Society Organizations Condemn the Continued Abduction of Alan Johnston

Palestinian civil society organizations in Rafah expressed great concern over the performance of the PNA, especially the Ministry of Interior, in pursuing and prosecuting the perpetrators of abductions of international journalists. These organizations also condemned the abduction of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent in Gaza City. In addition, they reminded of previous abduction which were ended by the PNA’s succumbing to the demands of the kidnappers instead of bringing them to justice.

PCHR and the National Association for Democracy and Law organized a demonstration in Awda Square in Rafah, attended by representatives of a number of civil society organizations, PLC members, interested individuals, and the BBC office director in Gaza. The demonstrators called for the immediate release of Alan Johnston. In addition, they expressed their condemnation of abductions on international journalists, and called for putting an end to the security chaos plaguing the OPT.

In a statement distributed during the demonstration, the National Association for Democracy and Law stated that the lack of punishment for these crimes only works to encourage more abductions, which tarnish the image of the Palestinian people and undermine their just cause. In addition, the Association stated that the continued kidnapping of Alan Johnston is an attack on freedom of expression and the press. The statement expressed solidarity with Johnston, and called for his immediate release.

PCHR distributed a statement during the demonstration. The statement condemned the abduction of Alan Johnston, and considered it an attack on freedom of expression and a defamation of the Palestinian people and their just struggle. In addition, the statement pointed that the crime is an attack on the rule of law. PCHR expressed concern over the PNA’s handling of such crimes, which are usually resolved by mediators without taking any legal action against the perpetrators. The Centre called upon the PNA to take serious legal action to put an end to the security chaos plaguing the OPT, especially the crimes of kidnapping internationals.

Ibrahim Mo’ammar, the President of the National Association for Democracy and Law, stated that the demonstration is a message rejecting abductions of journalists. He pointed that Johnston is a friend of the late Rachel Corrie, who was killed by Israeli bulldozers as she defended Palestinian homes in Rafah. He asked, “Is this the reward Alan and his colleagues receive?” In addition, he pointed that the Association is very concerned over the continued crimes of kidnapping against internationals and attacks on journalists. He stated that these crimes are an assault on the rule of law and on freedom of the press. In addition, he pointed that international activists and journalists greatly help in exposing the crimes perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces. Finally, Mo’ammar stated that these abductions tarnish the Palestinian people and their just struggle; and that the Palestinian people reject such crimes.

The Association called for the immediate and unconditional release of Alan Johnston, and considered the continuation of the abduction as an action that undermines the interests of the Palestinian people and international solidarity with Palestinians. The Association called upon the National Unity Government, represented by the Minister of Interior, to take serious steps to put an end to security chaos within the boundaries of the law and international human rights standards. The Association pointed that the alternative to ending security chaos is resorting to the rule of the jungle. The Association called upon all partisan parties and the Palestinian people to condemn abductions of internationals, to isolate the perpetrators, and to lobby the Palestinian government to fulfill its duties against criminals.

The Association’s statement called upon the Attorney-General to take serious action against kidnappers, and to prosecute them regardless of their political affiliation. The statement also called upon international visitors and journalists to continue their work in the OPT, stressing that the Palestinian people condemn kidnappings, perpetrated by few individuals striving to achieve personal gains at the expense of the Palestinian people.

The President of Al-Quds Open University in Rafah, Dr. Mohammad Zeidan, expressed total rejection of kidnappings, which are crimes that do not serve the Palestinian cause, but undermine the just cause of the Palestinian people. He stated that these crimes do not reflect the will of the Palestinian people, who strongly condemn such crimes. In addition, Zeidan stressed the importance of the role of international journalists in exposing Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. He pointed that abducting these journalists is a serious threat to the Palestinian cause, and contributes to concealing the suffering of Palestinians.

The Director of the National Association for Democracy and Law, Ahmad Abu Asaker, affirmed the Association’s condemnation of abductions against international journalists, who work to expose Israeli crimes against Palestinians on the international front. He stated that these journalists are the most capable party to deliver the message of our suffering to their people in Europe.