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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 37/2005
Date: 14 February 2005
Time: 12:00 GMT
PCHR Condemns Kidnapping and Attacking 3 Palestinian Journalists in Gaza
PCHR strongly condemns kidnapping and attacking 3 Palestinian journalists by dozens of armed persons, including a number of members of Palestinian security services. This incident occurred late on Sunday, 13 February 2005, for professional reasons related to their work at a private local radio station in Gaza City. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney General to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice. PCHR is deeply concerned at continuous attacks on the rule of law, linked with the security chaos and the misuse of weapons, especially in the Gaza Strip.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:15 on Sunday, 13 February 2005, 4 cars intercepted 3 journalists who work at the local al-Quds radio in Gaza City: ‘Abdul Nasser Abu ‘Oun, ‘Emad Nour, and Mohammed Qanneeta. A number of armed persons, some of whom are members of Palestinian security services, got out of the cars and forced the three journalists to get into two cars. They terrified passing Palestinian civilians by pointing their guns at them. Then, the cars traveled towards a house at al-Jalaa’ Street in the center. They forced the journalists to get out of the cars and enter the house, which was full of armed persons.
According to Abu ‘Oun, he and his two colleagues were subject to beating and insulting when they were being taken into the house. They were also beaten inside the house. Approximately 10 minutes later, the kidnappers released the three journalists, who immediately traveled to the hospital to receive medical treatment as they sustained injuries and bruises all across their bodies. The journalists also filed a complaint at a police station, in which they provided names of the attackers.
According to Abu ‘Oun, he and his colleagues were attacked for a work dispute between them and the administration of al-Horriya radio, where they used to work, and their current work at al-Quds radio.
PCHR is deeply concerned at such attacks, which provides further evidence that there are people who seek to retain the state of security chaos, misuse of weapons and the absence of the rule of law. In light of this, PCHR calls upon the PNA:
1) To investigate this latest attack and other similar attacks and bring their perpetrators to justice.
2) To take necessary measures to control the misuse of weapons, especially by members of security services, who are supposed to enforce the rule of law and keep the safety and security of citizens rather than threatening their security and lives.
3) To ensure that all measures taken by the PNA conform with human rights standards.
Public Document
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For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893
PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
