Ref: 93/2010

The Palestinian Center for Human
Rights (PCHR) is concerned over arresting journalist Salim Tayeh, from Quds Press
News Agency by the Preventive Security Service (PSS) in Tulkarm, and
questioning him regarding his journalistic work. Tayeh’s detention constitutes a serious
violation of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and press freedoms,
which are ensured under the constitution and relevant international standards.

According to investigations
conducted by PCHR and testimony of Salim Ahmed Tayeh, 47, after releasing him,
at approximately 20:30 on Sunday, 03 October 2010, Tayeh received a phone call
from a person who introduced himself as a member of PSS. He requested Tayeh to go back home, which is
located in the teachers’ housing in Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. He immediately went home, and a PSS force was
waiting for him. The PSS members
thoroughly searched the house and confiscated two computer sets, some documents
and press materials. He was then transported
to PSS’s headquarter in Tulkarm. During
his detention, Tayeh was subjected to two questioning sessions regarding his
journalistic work and interviews he had conducted with members of Hamas. At approximately 16:00 on Monday, 04 October
2010, he was released on condition to return on Thursday, 05 October 2010, to
receive his computer sets and he did.

PCHR strongly condemns the detention
of Tayeh and searching his house by the PSS, and:

1. Expresses
   concerns over continued violations of the right to freedom of expression
   and press freedoms, and emphasizes the importance of providing journalists
   and media with the protection they need and taking necessary measures to
   enable them to perform their work freely, to ensure the right to freedom
   of expression and press freedoms;
2. Stresses
   that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is ensured under the
   Palestinian Basic L0aw and international human rights standards; and
3. Calls
   upon Palestinian security services to respect international human rights
   standards, the Palestinian Basic Law and the relevant laws.