Ref: 105/2007
Date: 26 August 2007
Time: 10:30 GMT
PCHR Is Deeply Concerned over the Executive Force’s Attempt to Arrest Journalist Saker Abu al-‘Oun in Gaza
PCHR is deeply concerned over the Executive Force’s attempt to arrest journalist Sakher Abu al-‘Oun in Gaza City, which constitute an assault on press freedoms and the right to freedom of expression ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 25 August 2007, 9 members of the Executive Force wearing civilian clothes moved towards the house of Sakher Midhat Abu al-‘Oun, 42, director of the office of France Press in the Gaza Strip, in al-Remal neighborhood in the center of Gaza City. They requested him to accompany them, but he contacted a number of journalists who arrived at the house and prevented the Executive Force from arresting him.
In his testimony to PCHR, journalist Abu al-‘Oun stated:
“At approximately 23:30 on Friday, 24 August 2007, I was informed by an official at the office of dismissed Prime Minister Ismail Haniya that an arrest warrant was issued against me and that there were attempts to cancel it. At approximately 22:30 on Saturday, 25 August 2007, 9 persons wearing civilian clothes came to my house. They introduced themselves as members of the Executive Force. They requested me to accompany them telling me that an arrest warrant was issued against me. I asked them to show me the arrest warrant. They showed me a paper on which the following statement: ‘The Executive Force, bring Sakher Abu al-‘Oun.’ Immediately, I contacted some journalists who arrived at home, including journalist Taher al-Nounu, spokesman of the dismissed Prime Minister. A debate ensued between the journalists and members of the Executive Force. Journalist Taher al-Nounu told members of the Executive Forces that he talked with their commander and settled the issue. The journalists also told them that the arrest warrant was illegal as it was neither signed nor stamped. The officer of the force was provoked, so he cut the paper and said: ‘I will take him forcibly.’ My colleagues were able to prevent them from arresting me, so they left the area.’
Abu al-‘Oun also stated that “Mr. Ahmed Yousef, Advisor of Prime Minister informed the office of France Press in Jerusalem that the arrest warrant was issued against me due to a subjective statement I gave during a sit-in organized on Friday in front of al-Shorouq tower building, in which I said that violations against journalists increased during in the era of Hamas-led government.”
PCHR stresses that the right to freedom of expression is ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments, and:
1) Expresses deep concerns over the recurrence of attacks on freedom of expression and press, and calls for investigating such attacks and taking legal action against the perpetrators.
2) Affirms the need to provide protection for journalists and media outlets, and to take the necessary steps to ensure their freedom in conducting their work.
