Ref: 135/2007
Date: 08 October 2007
Time: 11:30 GMT
PCHR Condemns Arresting and Torturing Iqra TV Media Crew in Ramallah by the Preventive Security
PCHR condemns arresting and torturing the media crew of Iqra TV Channel by the Preventive Security Service in Ramallah on Sunday, 7 October 2007. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian government in Ramallah to investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. PCHR believes that this attack constitute and assault on press freedoms and the right to freedom of expression, which are ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments. .
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the testimony of Younis Ibrahim al-Hassasna, 29, coordinator of the TV channel in Palestine, at approximately 15:30 on Sunday, 7 October 2007, while the channel’s crew, comprised of al-Hassasna; Haneen Rashmawi, a cameraman; and journalists under training Samer Khwaira and Mohammed al-Qeeq, were photographing in al-Irsal Street in the center of Ramallah, they were arrested by a number of members of the Preventive Security Service. They were taken to the headquarters of the security service in Ramallah. During the interrogation, members of the media crew were subjected to torture and cruel treatement. A doctor who checked al-Hassasna as he got sick also threatened him. Late at night, al-Hassasna and Rashmawi were released, while the other two journalists remained in custody.
In his testimony to PCHR, al-Hassana stated:
“…And at approximately 17:00, we were taken to the headquartered of the Preventive Security Service in Bitounia. They checked me forcing me to take off my upper clothes. We were then handcuffed. They also covered our heads with dirty sacks. They then separated us. I was taken to a small cell. At approximately 18:45, I was taken out of the cell and they tied my hands back and up to a door. They then took me to interrogation. I was astonished that they interrogated us about harassment of girls, claiming that two girls submitted complaints against us. I denied this claim. Soon after, they tied me again and then brought me back to interrogation. This time, they accused as of photographing for an enemy entity. When the interrogator noticed that I got sick, he transferred me to the clinic. There were two doctors and a nurse. One of the doctors asked me about my weight, and I told him it was 65 kilograms. He then said: ‘Get ready to lose 20 kilograms of your weight as you would be detained by the Preventive Security Service.’ He then asked me about my eyes’ color. I asked him of they would turn their color from green into blue. I realized that he was threatening me.”
PCHR strongly condemns this attack, and:
1) Expresses increasing concerns over the recurrence of assaults on the right of the freedom of expression and press freedoms, and calls for investigating such assaults and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
2) Strongly condemns the use of torture, and calls upon the Attorney-General to investigate these incidents, prosecute the perpetrators, and taking effective steps to prevent their recurrence.
3) Reminds that torture is outlawed by Palestinian Law, and does not fall by seniority; and that torture is a serious violation of human rights and international human rights standards, including the UN Convention against Torture.
4) Stresses the need to provide protection for journalists and media institutions and take necessary measures to allow them to carry out their job freely.
5) Confirms that the right to freedom of expression is ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
