Ref: 28/2009
Date: 12 February 2009
Time: 12:00 GMT
PCHR Condemns Continued Detention of Journalists by Preventive Security Service in the West Bank
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the continued detention of a number of Palestinian journalists by the Preventive Security Service (PSS) in the West Bank. PCHR is dismayed that journalists are being abused as a part of the continuing conflict between the Fatah and Hamas movements. The Centre believes these detentions constitute assaults on press freedoms and the right to freedom of expression, which are both enshrined in the Palestinian Basic Law as well as international human rights instruments.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 12:30 on Saturday, 24 January, Samer Ameen Khwaira, 27, a correspondent of the Lebanon-based al-Quds Television, received a call on his mobile phone from a PSS officer in Nablus. The officer requested him to go to the PSS headquarters immediately. Khwaira went to the PSS headquarters, and was subsequently taken to Junaid Prison in Nablus, where he remains in detention. Khwaira had been repeatedly summoned by the PSS and the General Intelligence Service for interrogation previously, and on one occasion had been detained for more than two months.
On the same day, 24 January, the PSS in Jenin arrested Ahmed al-Nikawi, another correspondent for the al-Quds Television. He also remains in detention.
On 26 January, the PSS arrested ‘Essam al-Reemawi, a photographer for the Palestine News Agency (Wafa) while he was at his workplace in Ramallah. Al-Reemawi was taken to the PSS headquarters in Bitounia town, where he was detained until 10 February. Al-Reemawi told PCHR that he had been subjected to Shabeh[1] in the first five days of his detention, and that he was in detention for 15 days, but was never subjected to beating. He stated that he was interrogated about which media institutions he sells his photographs to.
PCHR strongly condemns these attacks, and:
1) Expresses its concern over the recurrence of assaults against the right to freedom of expression and press freedom, and calls for protection for all journalists and media institutions in order for them to be able to carry out their work safely and without threats.
2) Asserts that the right to freedom of expression is ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
3) Calls upon the two governments in Gaza and Ramallah not abuse journalists, or use them as part of the political conflict between them.
[1] Shabeh involves shackling the detainee’s hands and legs to a small chair, angled to slant forward so that the detainee cannot sit in a stable position. It is extremely painful.
