Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

Palestinian security, police and the Ministry of Interior.” The statement
pointed to the role of the pro-Hamas Al-Aqsa radio station in this campaign
through its, “continuous call to stoke the fire of conflict and to undermine
national unity, in a flagrant breach of the law and professional ethics.” The
statement threatened Hamas and its media outlets with harsh measures if they
did not stop “this destructive and frivolous process”.
- Announcement issued by the Ministry of Interior and National Security on 29
July 2005 banning the publication of any form of news (print, radio or
television) related to Palestinian National Security Forces and the Police,
without informing the press office in the Ministry.
PCHR documented a number of violations of the right of freedom of expression
during 2005:
Violations by Official Bodies
On 13 February 2005, the General Investigations Department in the Police detained
the journalist Abed Rabbo Shana’a, a photographer for Reuters and Palestinian
television, in Khan Yunis. He was detained for taking footage of Palestinian police
dispersing demonstrators protesting outside the municipality building in the city,
against the death of an electrician during an accident at work. The protestors threw
stones at the building during the demonstration.
On 23 May 2005, Policemen severely beat the journalist Mahmoud Obeid, a
cameraman working for Al-Jazeera Satellite station, and his soundman, Ala Abu
Samhadana. They were recording confrontations between Hamas and Fatah
supporters in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa University in Gaza City.
On 14 July 2005, Palestinian security forces prevented the Hamas spokesman, Sami
Abu Zuhri, from being interviewed by Al-Jazeera Satellite station to comment on
confrontations in the Gaza Strip. The security forces tried to prevent him from
entering the building where the Al-Jazeera studio was. After discussions with the
officer in charge, he was allowed to enter. However, he did not participate in the
scheduled broadcast.
Violations by Unofficial Parties
On 18 January 2005, masked gunmen kidnapped two Spanish journalists working in
the western part of Khan Yunis refugee camp. The journalists were Ramon Lobo and
Carmin Saubo from El Pais newspaper. They were held for about 90 minutes in a
house in the camp.
On 13 February 2005, the journalists Abdel Naser Abu Own, Emad Nour and
Mohammad Qannita, all working with Al-Quds radio station, were severely beaten by
armed gunmen. The statement from Abu Own to PCHR indicates that the group was
beaten with guns in an effort to force them into a house. They three were subjected to
insults and beatings inside the house. They were taken for examination to Shifa
Hospital after their release. They had sustained bruising and cuts all over their bodies.
The journalists went to El-Abbas police station and submitted a complaint against the
attackers, who they identified by name. Abu Own stated that the attack came against
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