Al-Haq Center called attention to Palestine’s draft law on cyber crimes in a letter sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye.
In the letter al-Haq noted that the draft law contravened both the Palestinian Basic Law and international law and standards including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Al-Haq further highlighted several articles which were representative of the overly broad language and excessive penalties found throughout the law.
The letter emphasized that the draft law was part of efforts to narrow civil political and social space and that such a law would embolden further actions against perceived political opponents.
Indeed in June over a dozen news and media websites were blocked following a decision by the Attorney General. There are currently over 2 dozen websites that have been blocked al-Haq further noted.
The center said its concern has been further deepened with the approval of the Cyber Crimes Law. It was published in the Official Gazette on 9 July 2017 without any prior discussions between government authorities and civil society.
Following the law’s publication al-Haq sent another letter to the Special Rapporteur updating him on the status of the law and again highlighting emblematic articles which violate the rights to freedom of opinion expression and privacy.
Al-Haq added that these rights have been further threatened under a larger clampdown by the Palestinian Authority (PA) chaired by Mahmoud Abbas which has included arrests and detentions of activists journalists and others.
Al-Haq urged the PA to respect and ensure compliance with its international treaty obligations suspend the Cyber Crimes Law and hold open discussions with civil society organizations to ensure that the law is amended to conform with the Palestinian Basic Law and international law.
