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Press Release
PCHR condemns kidnapping of two foreign journalists in Rafah
Ref: 30/2001
Date: May 31, 2001
PCHR welcomes the statements of the Palestinian National Authority and other Palestinian political leaders condemning the kidnapping of two foreign journalists in Rafah on May 29, 2001. PCHR considers such action against journalists as a serious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to investigate the kidnapping and bring its perpetrators to justice.
On Tuesday, May 29, 2001, unidentified individuals kidnapped two foreign journalists who were reporting on Israeli violations of human rights in Rafah. Joshua Hammer, 43, the American chief of US Newsweek’s Jerusalem Bureau, and Gary Knight, a British photographer on assignment for the magazine, were released unharmed after approximately 4½ hours of detention.
PCHR strongly condemns such attacks against journalists which constitute an attack on the freedom of the press. PCHR offers to provide journalists with assistance in their coverage of human rights violations perpetrated in the Gaza Strip. Dozens of journalists have received such assistance from PCHR in the past. PCHR also wishes to state that the work of journalists is greatly appreciated by Palestinian society and its political leaders.