Palestinian Human Rights Defender Arrested for a Facebook Post · Global Voices
Photo of Palestinian human rights defender <PERSON>. Source: Twitter account of Youth Against Settlement
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is continuing its crackdown on free speech in the West Bank, this time arresting prominent Palestinian human rights activist <PERSON> for criticizing a journalist's arrest in a Facebook post.
<PERSON>, who is based in the West Bank city of Hebron, is the coordinator and co-founder of the grassroots organization Youth Against Settlements, which documents human rights violations committed by Israeli military and settlers. He is a recognized human rights defender by the European Union and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
As one of the more prominent Palestinian advocates for non-violent resistance, <PERSON> also faces legal challenges from the Israeli government. In a separate case before an Israeli military court, he is facing 18 charges, including disputed charges of incitement to violence, stemming from his political protest activities. His trial began on September 3, but was immediately adjourned to October 22. UN human rights experts, Amnesty International and multiple US legislators have condemned the charges against <PERSON>.
According to <PERSON>'s brother, he was summoned by the Palestinian Preventive Security Forces on the morning of 4 September and officials then interrogated him over a Facebook post, in which <PERSON> had criticized the PA for arresting journalist <PERSON> the day before.
<PERSON> heads a local radio called Manbar al-Hurriya, which was raided by the Israeli army on September 3 and ordered to be shut down for six months due to alleged “incitement”. <PERSON> was later arrested by PA security forces for openly criticizing the PA and calling for the resignation of Palestinian President <PERSON> and Prime Minister <PERSON>.
The actual Facebook post could not be retrieved as <PERSON>'s Facebook account is no longer visible on the platform, presumably due to deactivation or deletion. 467
However, a screenshot was saved and published by Youth Against Settlement. In the post, <PERSON> denounced the arrest of <PERSON> and called on the PA to respect and protect freedom of expression and opinion, and its international obligations.
<PERSON> was released on 6 September, but <PERSON> remains under arrest. On 6 September, the Palestinian public prosecutor's office extended <PERSON>'s arrest for 24 hours and charged him with stirring sectarian tensions and insulting the PA president, or “speaking with insolence”.
Breaking: PA prosecutor extends detention of rights defender <PERSON> 24 hrs on charge of “stirring up sectarian tensions.” @hrw responds: pic.twitter.com/vhycfvxUbZ
— <PERSON> (@OmarSShakir) September 6, 2017
In a statement published by Youth Against Settlements, <PERSON> said prior to his arrest:
All my writings on social media are part of the freedom of opinion and expression stipulated by the Palestinian Basic Law and are protected by all international laws and conventions.
[…]
My arrest will not affect my defense of human rights and the rights of journalists to exercise their work freely and without pressure from the government.
On 6 September, Youth Against Settlement tweeted that <PERSON> is going on a hunger strike to protest his unlawful arrest:
UPDATE <PERSON> remains imprisoned by PA. Charge is “extending his tongue & causing strife” by insulting PA president <PERSON> pic.twitter.com/arQi3ZNDIC
— YouthAgainstSettlmnt (@YASHebron) September 6, 2017
Amnesty International condemned his arrest, calling it a “shameless attack on freedom of expression” and called for his immediate release. “<PERSON> arrest is the latest evidence that the Palestinian authorities are determined to continue with their repressive campaign against free speech,” said <PERSON>, Amnesty's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also published a statement Monday expressing concern at <PERSON>’s arrest and urging his release.
In recent months the PA has stepped up its crackdown on media and press freedoms, and free speech online, arresting journalists and activists, blocking websites of opponents and critics, and adopting a draconian cybercrime law. <PERSON>'s only crime is that he spoke out against the arrest of <PERSON> and free speech violations committed by the PA. Now he himself has become the target. 799