Ref: 72/2007
Date: 26 July 2007
Time: 12:30 GMT
PCHR Condemns the Raid on Afaq TV Station in Nablus and Destruction of Its Equiopment
PCHR condemns the raid by masked gunmen against the office of Afaq private TV station in Nablus. The raid included firing of weapons, destruction of television sets and computer monitors, and shattering of windows. This raid is a continuation of the state of security chaos and attacks on freedom of expression and journalism. The Centre calls upon the PNA to investigate this attack and prosecute the perpetrators.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, 24 July 2007, a group of seven masked gunmen broke into the office of Afaq TV in the seventh floor of Aloul & Abu Salha Building in Sufian Street in Nablus. They fired inside the building, destroyed 4 television sets, 5 computer monitors, and the administration computer. In addition, they broke the windows and file cabinet doors before leaving the building.
PCHR suspects that this attack comes on the backdrop of the clash at El-Najah University in Nablus between Fatah and Hamas supporters. The Director of Afaq TV, Issa Yusef Abu El-Ez, informed PCHR’s fieldworker that, “at approximately 15:15 on Tuesday, 24 July 2007, I received a call from an anonymous caller to my mobile phone. The caller threatened to target the TV station and destroy it. The threat came after watching the news from the Palestinian News Network and other West Bank television stations that included a Hamas statement holding Fatah responsible for the clash at El-Najah University. I told them immediately that I will stop running the news item; noting that the same item included the statement of the University management blaming Hamas for the clashes. The attack took place about 45 minutes after the call….”
PCHR condemns this attack, and:
– Calls upon the PNA, represented by the Attorney-General to seriously investigate the attack, and prosecute the perpetrators.
– Considers this attack a continuation of the state of security chaos and infringements on freedom of expression in the OPT.
– Calls upon all concerned parties to respect freedom of expression and journalism; and to alienate media outlets from the conflict between Fatah and Hmas.
