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Press Release
PCHR condemns the Attack on al-Jeel Press Office
Ref: 135/2002
Date: 7 December 2002
PCHR condemns the attack by an unidentified group on al-Jeel press office. The incident destroyed much equipment and then set fire to it. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority, in particular the Attorney General, to investigate this attack and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
According to information available to PCHR, on the morning of Thursday 5th December 2002, a number of masked gunmen broke into al-Jeel press office, administered by Mustafa al-Sawaf. They destroyed equipment and furniture in the office, which is on the first floor of an apartment block in al-Nasser neighborhood in Gaza City. The men proceeded to set fire to the office. This crime nearly resulted in a humanitarian disaster, with the gunmen paying no consideration for to lives of the residents of that, and neighbouring, buildings.
In a press release he issued on 5 December 2002, al-Sawaf stated that the masked men who attacked his office traveled in a jeep that belongs to a security service, which if correct raises some very grave allegations. PCHR is concerned that the attack had political motivations relating to the clashes that have recently erupted between certain members of Fatah and Hamas movements in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority to investigate this crime, which is not only an attack on the freedom of press, but also threatens the safety and security of citizens, as well as laying the foundation for a state of chaos, undermining the rule of law. PCHR calls on the Attorney General to go to all efforts to find and prosecute the perpetrators as a way to promoting the rule of law. PCHR calls also on relevant parties to respect the freedom of press, and allow the media and journalists to carry out their jobs freely and without fear of political reprisals.
