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PALESTINIAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

PRESS RELEASE

Ref: 30/2004

Date: 24 February  2004

PCHR Organizes a Conference on Attacks on the Freedom of Press

 On Tuesday morning, 24 February 2004, the Democratic Development Unit (DDU) at PCHR organized a conference under the title “Attacks on the Freedoms of Press: Who Can Stop Them?”  The conference was held at the YMCA in Gaza city, and was organized in light of the recent escalation of attacks against journalists and press organizations.  Participating in the conference were Hassan al-Kashef, Editor-in-Chief of al-Dar Magazine; Tawfiq Abu Khousa, Head of the Syndicate of Journalists; Emad al-Falouji, Member of the Parliamentary Monitoring Committee; and Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR.  A number of journalists, academics, representatives of political parties and NGOs, public figures, and others also attended.

 Coordinator of DDU Hamdi Shaqqura, the primary facilitator in the conference,  stated that the aims of the conference were to condemn attacks on journalists and press organizations, and to discuss actions that relevant parties can take to halt these attacks and support freedom of the press. 

 Mr. Hassan al-Kashef delivered a speech on the impacts of these attacks against journalists and press organizations on the freedom of press. 

 Mr. Tawfiq Abu Khousa discussed the Syndicate of Journalists’ role in providing protection for journalists and press organizations.  He emphasized the importance of law enforcement, and lobbying activities to ensure law enforcement.

 Mr. Emad al-Falouji spoke about the Palestinian Legislative Council’s role in providing protection for journalists and press organizations, emphasizing the integral relation between the council and the press. 

 Mr. Raji Sourani talked about the role of Palestinian human rights organizations in providing protection for Palestinian journalists.  Sourani stated that human rights organizations legally and objectively document attacks against journalists and press organizations. He also asserted that human rights organizations should pursue the complaints they receive in this regard with the Attorney General, in accordance with the rule of law. 

 Following the speeches, speakers and the audience engaged in in-depth discussions of the relevant issues.

Public Document

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For more information please call PCHR office in Gaza, Gaza Strip, on +972 8 2824776 – 2825893

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail:[email protected], Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org