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Palestinian High Court orders the reopening of offices of al-Resala
Date: 25 April 2002
On Thursday morning, 25 April 2002, the Palestinian High Court of Justice issued a crucial decision that obligates the Palestinian police to immediately reopen the office of weekly newspaper, al-Resala. The decision was issued in response to request 29/2002 submitted to the court by PCHR lawyers as legal representatives of the weekly newspaper which is published by the Palestinian Islamic National Salvation Party. The office was closed by the Palestinian police on 18 February 2002. The Palestinian police announced the closure of the office by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) by writing in red paint on its entrance. No officials of the newspaper were questioned by the Attorney General and no judicial decision was given based on any legal violation, contrary to the Press Law of 1995 issued by the PNA.
This was the second time that the office of al-Resala has been closed by the Palestinian police. It was first closed in 1997. PCHR lawyers then pursued the case before the High Court of Justice. At that time the court considered that the closure by the Palestinian police was arbitrary and in violation of the Palestinian constitution and law in the judicial precedent 128/1997.
PCHR is concerned at ongoing actions by the Palestinian police taken without recourse to the judicial processes required for such actions under Palestinian law. PCHR welcomes the decision of the High Court of Justice and calls upon the Palestinian police to respect the rule of law and immediately implement the court’s decision by reopening the office of al-Resala.
