Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), statement, 16 July 2009.

Photo: Restrictions on freedom of the press in Palestine.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the decision issued by Dr. Salam Fayad, the Palestinian Prime Minister and Acting Minster of Information in Ramallah, suspending the Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel’s (JSC) work in Palestine and preventing its personnel from carrying out any activities in Palestine pending a final judicial ruling in this regard. PCHR asserts that this decision constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression, and calls upon the Government in Ramallah to cancel it and allow the JSC and its personnel to work freely.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and a statement issued by JSC’s office in Jerusalem, at 14:00 on 15 July 2009, two persons wearing civilian clothes arrived at the JSC’s office on the eighth floor of City Center building in the center of Ramallah. The two persons introduced themselves as officers in the Palestinian Police Bureau of Investigation, Ramallah. They then handed over a copy of a decision signed by the Lieutenant Colonel lawyer, Yasser al-Fahum, on behalf of the Colonel Monier Telbani, Chief of police in Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate. The decision read as:

” According to the decision issued by Palestinian Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Information on 15 July 2009, it has been decided to suspend work in al-Jazeera Satellite Channel’s offices in Palestine; thus, its teams are banned from any work pending a final judicial ruling in this regard. In case the decision is violated, you shall be held legally accountable.”

The two officers also handed to Mr. al-‘Omari, Director of the JSC office, a copy of the decision issued by the Minister of Information related to the suspension of the JSC’s work. The decision read as follows:

In accordance with the powers legally afforded to us; according to Law #9 of 1995 (Press Law) and Statue (19-10) of 2004 concerning regulations of licensing satellite, television and radio stations, especially articles 8 and 15; and based on the requirements of the higher interests of the Arab Palestinian people, we have decided the following:

Article 1

Work in al-Jazeera Satellite Channel offices in Palestine shall be suspended; thus, its teams are banned from any work pending a final judicial ruling in this regard.

Article 2

Any thing that may contradict with this decision shall be canceled, and all concerned have to apply its provisions, each according to its field of specialization. This decision shall enter into force on the day it is issued.

After making this decision, the Palestinian Prime Minister in Ramallah stated that he charged Mr. Ahmed al-Moghanni, Attorney-General, to take all necessary legal action to sue the JSC “due to its flagrant incitement against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which implied an attempt for provoking disorder.”

In turn, the JSC stated that it was astonished by the PNA’s decision to suspend the channel’s work in the West Bank and to sue. JSC had broadcast accusations expressed by the second man in Fateh movement, Farouk al-Qaddoumi, against Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president and the deputy, Mohammed Dahalan. Al-Qaddoumi accusing them of participating in an Israeli conspiracy to assassinate the late Palestinian President, Yasser Arrafat. The JSC added in its statement that “it has been careful to ensure editorial balance in all aspects via broadcasting the accusations as they were mentioned by Mr. El Kadomi.”

PCHR strongly condemns suspending the JSC’s work in the West Bank, and:

1) PCHR expresses its concerns regarding this decision and considers it a flagrant assault on the right to freedom of expression and press freedoms. It also emphasizes the necessity of providing protection to journalists and mass media and taking all the necessary measures to enable them to work freely to ensure their enjoyment of the right to freedom expression and press freedoms.

2) PCHR asserts that the right to freedom of expression is ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.

3) PCHR calls upon the Palestinian government in Ramallah to cancel its decisions, especially as it decided to refer to the judiciary, which removes any excuse for such decision that constitute and assault on the judicial powers.

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Palestinian National Authority

Ministry of Information
Decision of Palestinian Minister of Information on Suspension of al-Jazeera Satellite Channel’s Work

Minister of Information:

In accordance with the powers legally afforded to us; according to Law #9 of 1995 (Press Law) and Statue (19-10) of 2004 concerning regulations of licensing satellite, television and radio stations, especially articles 8 and 15; and based on the requirements of the higher interests of the Arab Palestinian people, we have decided the following:

Article 1

Work in al-Jazeera Satellite Channel offices in Palestine shall be suspended; thus, its teams are banned from any work pending a final judicial ruling in this regard.

Article 2

Any thing that may contradict with this decision shall be cancelled, and all concerned have to apply its provisions, each according to its field of specialization. This decision shall enter into force on the day it is issued.

Issued in Ramallah on 15 July 2009

By Salam Fayyad
Palestinian Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Information