Occupied West Bank: Urge to withdraw ban imposed on Al Jazeera network

About a week ago, a court in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank ordered the ban on several of Al Jazeera’s websites. Earlier, a ministerial committee of the Palestinian Authority ordered the closure of the media company’s office in the West Bank. Was justified, although this step was criticized all around. Al Jazeera was accused of being inflammatory, seditious, spreading misinformation and interfering in the internal affairs of Palestine. The UN’s independent experts said in a statement issued on Monday that the closure of a major international media company, which is a big name in the field, is a disproportionate, unnecessary step. According to the Group of Special Rapporteurs, this would violate freedom of expression. But severe restrictions have been imposed and the right to information of the Palestinian people and regional and global audiences has been hindered. “We are deeply concerned about this attack on freedom of expression by the Palestinian Authority.” Order to shut down website Al Jazeera’s news service was ordered to be suspended. Under this decision, the broadcast of programs by Al Jazeera and the journalists and employees associated with it. Work is prohibited. Subsequently, on January 5, a magistrate court in Ramallah ordered the closure of several Al Jazeera websites for four months, including aljazeera.net, aljazeera.net/live, aljazeera360.com and global.ajplus.net. Are. These orders were justified on the basis of national security and published material inciting to commit crimes. Human rights experts expressed concern that since 5 December 2024, Palestinian security forces have taken a harsh action in the Jenin refugee camp and in the occupied West Bank. This order was issued after the coverage. There is news of at least 8 Palestinians being killed in this repressive action, including a female journalist. According to the Special Rapporteur, the decision to ban Al Jazeera is vague and without any solid basis. The increase in violence and human rights abuses shows that the real reason for this decision is to block international attention and uncomfortable criticism. Independent Media CoverageHuman rights experts noted that the presence of independent media, including international media, is essential to combating war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory. To ensure accountability and transparency for crimes committed. Israel has banned all international journalists from reporting from Gaza since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. A large number of Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli military forces while covering the war. Independent experts noted that in the absence of independent reporting, information on human rights violations will not be disseminated, and will lead to an environment in which Where impunity is nurtured. In view of this, they expressed concern about the restrictions imposed on journalists and freedom of expression by the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. Human Rights Expert, Special Rapporteur and independent Human rights experts are part of the United Nations Special Human Rights Process. They are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, to investigate a specific human rights issue or situation in a country and submit a report. These positions are honorary and human rights experts do not receive any salary from the UN for their work. .The list of experts who signed this statement can be seen here.

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