Ref: 97/2011

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns
preventing displaying the speech of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
before the UN General Assembly in ‘Gallery’ restaurant, arresting the owner of
the restaurant and confiscating the card
of a journalist by the General Investigations Service (GIS). PCHR calls upon
the Ministry of Interior in Gaza to respect public freedoms, the right to
freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful assembly, which are
guaranteed in accordance with the Palestinian Constitution and international
human rights standards.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and statements given
by an eyewitness, at approximately 18:00 on Friday, 23 September 2011, two men
in plain clothing arrived at ‘Gallery’ restaurant located near the Ministry of
Prisoners in Remal, west of Gaza City. The speech of the Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas before the UN General Assembly was being displayed in the
Restaurant. The two men introduced themselves as members of the GIS. They
approached the owner of the restaurant, Jamal Salim Abu al-Qumsan, 43, and
requested him to end the display of the film and threatened to close his
restaurant. Abu al-Qumsan stopped the display. The GIS members also tried to
confiscate a filming tape from Jifara al-Safadi, a journalist working for
al-Wataniya Media Company. Al-Safadi, who was lighting candles with a
Palestinian family who were celebrating in the restaurant, filmed the GIS
members in the restaurant. He refused to give the tape to the GIS members who
then confiscated his ID card and requested him to turn to the al-Abbas Police
Station to get his ID card back. The GIS members contacted the police who then
came to arrest Abu al-Qumsan. Until now Abu al-Qumsan has not been released.

In view of the above, PCHR:

1- Emphasizes
the right to have private meetings without any interference from the police.
Article 26 (5) of the Palestinian Basic Law stipulates that: “Palestinians
shall have the following rights, in particular: …. 5. To conduct private
meetings without the presence of police officers and to conduct public
meetings, gatherings and processions, within the limits of the law.”

2- Condemns
violations of the right to expression and civil liberty rights and reiterates
that it is necessary to provide protection to media workers and agencies and to
take all measures necessary to enable them to perform their duties freely. The
right to expression and press freedom are guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic
Law and by international human rights instruments.

3- Calls
for immediate release of Abu al-Qumsan.

4- Calls
upon the Palestinian security services to respect international human rights
standards, the Palestinian basic law and other relevant laws.