The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor on Saturday sent a letter to the UN to call for action against recent measures taken by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that violated freedoms of expression freedom of the press and digital rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“As you know the PA banned 59 online news websites last week based on article 39 of the controversial cybercrime law instated by the PA in 2018” the Euro-Med’s letter says which was sent to David Kaye UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“[article 39 of the cybercrime law] allows the attorney general to flag any online outlets that endanger national security general order and norms. The 59 websites in question were found to be critical of the PA president Mahmoud Abbas” the letter stated.
“Earlier in 2017 the PA also banned around 30 websites that criticized its policies and tightened its grip on many local journalists some of whom are still undergoing trial until today.”
‘Unfortunately the cybercrime law’s ambiguous and elusive language enables the PA to take arbitrary measures against critical voices press serious charges against them and sentence them harshly and disproportionately.”
The Euro-Med emphasized the need for the PA to “unblock access to all banned sites immediately end the trials of journalists charged with criticizing it and repeal the cybercrime law or review it to ensure its compatibility with relevant international laws and human rights.”
The Euro-Med said in its letter that the PA must renew its legitimacy through holding general presidential and parliamentary elections to ensure the supremacy of the law and accountability where the judiciary legislative and executive authorities are separate impartial and accountable to the Palestinian people.
The Euro-Med concluded its letter by urging Kaye to directly raise the issue and the concerns over the cybercrime law to the PA and demand immediate clear action from the PA to show genuine compliance with relevant international conventions including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
