MADA expressed deep concern at the continuing arrests of journalists and writers by the security apparatus in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
(MADA/IFEX) – The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expressed deep concern at the continuing arrests of journalists and writers by the security apparatus in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the continued detention of several journalists in its jails (Iyad Srour, Mustafa Sabri, Murad Abu Baha, Yunes Hasasnah).
Security forces in the Gaza Strip arrested the editor of “The Alsabah” newspaper website, Sri Mohammed, 42, at his home in Gaza City on 23 June 2009, after searching his house, and confiscating two laptops, a computer, fax, and mobile phone, according to his wife.
On the same day, the Preventive Security Service arrested “Ahhaqa Aldawliya” newspaper correspondent Qays Abu Samrah. On 20 June, the military intelligence service also arrested Sri Abdul Fattah Sammur, 35, after he was recalled by telephone to police headquarters in the city of Jenin. His wife believes that he was arrested due to articles he published in a number of news sites, such as Alhaqaeq and Arab Times, in addition to his blog. He has not been charged.
This deterioration of the freedom of media in the Palestinian territories is a reflection of the continued tension between the Fatah and Hamas movements. MADA condemns these flagrant violations of media freedoms in the Palestinian territories, and calls upon the two parties to stop them, release all detained journalists and to allow journalists and the media outlets to operate freely and safely.
