Ref: 75/2007
Date: 30 July 2007
Time: 12:30 GMT
PCHR Concerned over the Detention of Distributors of Palestinian Newspapers by the Executive Force and the Delay in Distribution of Papers Today
PCHR is extremely concerned over the attack on the distributors of Al-Quds, Al-Ayyam, and Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda newspapers in the Gaza Strip, and detaining them for several hours in the Executive Force compound in Beit Hanoun. PCHR also expresses concern over the delay in distributing these newspapers till noon. PCHR considers this attack to be a violation of freedom of expression and an attack on journalism that are protected by the Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 8:15 on Monday, 30 July 2007, the Executive Force intercepted 4 vehicles belonging to the distributors of of Al-Quds, Al-Ayyam, and El-Hayat newspapers that are printed in the West Bank. The incident took place near Beit Hanoun crossing during the transport of the newspapers for distribution in the Gaza Strip. The Executive Force confiscated the newspaper copies and detained the seven distributors in the vehicles. They were held in the nearby Beit Hanoun police station. The distributors are:
1- Hatem El-Qishawi: distributor of Al-Ayyam newspaper in Gaza.
2- Samir Jaber: distributor for Al-Ayyam newspaper.
3- Mohammad Madi.
4- Ala’ Nasrallah: distributor of Al-Ayyam newspaper in the northern Gaza Strip.
5- Akram El-Mughani: distributor of El-Hayat newspaper.
6- Ashraf Abu Amr: distributor of El-Hayat newspaper
7- Bilal Abu Sam’an: a 12-year old boy who distributes newspapers.
The detainees were released three hours later at 11:15.
Hatem El-Qishawi informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the Executive Force intercepted him and his colleagues at the Customs checkpoint after they had received the newspapers through Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint. They were informed that the Executive Force has an order to confiscate the newspapers for defaming Hamas and failing to mention the movement’s achievements. He added that the Executive Force took the detainees’ car keys and driving licenses, and took the to the Beit Hanoun police station. El-Qishawi stated that the Executive Force released at 11:15, gave them back their belongings, and apologized for detaining them.
Sami El-Qishawi, the director of Al-Ayyam newspaper in Gaza stated that the Executive Force commander in the Beit Hanoun crossing area informed him that the reason for confiscating Al-Ayyam newspaper was the news item on the press conference held by Ibrahim Abu El-Naja, a Fatah leader. He stated that news item “was not to their liking.”
It is noted that Al-Ayyam newspaper published a news items on the statements by Fatah leaders condemning Hamas actions in the Gaza Strip against Fatah members. Hamas considered the statements to be unfounded defamation. Abu El-Naja held a press conference held on Sunday, 29 July 2007, in Gaza City and stated that Hamas perpetrated, “systematic killing of Fatah leaders and activists; and that the actions of Hamas in the Gaza Strip were an attempt to uproot and eradicate the revolutionary history of Fatah over half a century.” In addition, the newspaper published a statement by Fatah Spokesman Ahmad Abdel Rahman stating that “the Gaza Strip is currently living under a regime of killing and terror that imposes itself upon the people through illegitimate force, called the Executive Force, which takes the law in its hand.”
It is noted that Palestine and Al-Resala[1] newspapers that are close to Hamas have been prevented from distribution in the West Bank after the Al-Ayyam printing house declined to continue their print in the West Bank. The printing house received a threat from an anonymous party against the printing of the two newspapers. The newspapers stopped distribution in the West Bank on 16 June 2007.
PCHR condemns the attack on the newspaper distributors, and:
Calls for investigating this attack and prosecuting the perpetrators, and to ensure protection for journalists and media outlets.
Stresses the importance of freedom of journalism and freedom of expression as basic h uman rights and pillars of democratic society, which are protected by the Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
Calls upon all parties to respect freedom of journalism, and to refrain from dragging the media in the ongoing conflict between Fatah and Hamas.
[1] Al-Resala is issued by the Islamic Salvation Party.
