Al Mezan condemns the seizure of newspapers in Gaza and restricting distribution of other papers in the West Bank

The Executive Force (EF) seized the distributors of three daily newspapers (Al Hayat Al Jadida, Al Ayyam, and Al Quds).
The distributors and the papers were held at the police station in the town of Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, which is run by the EF.
In effect, they were prevented from distributing the papers.
Al Mezan's investigations indicated that, at approximately 8:15 on 30 July 2007, an EF checkpoint, located about 500km south of Erez Crossing, stopped four cars that transported the newspapers and held their main distributors.
Then they ordered the distributors and car drivers to leave the cars.
When asked about the reasons, an EF member said it was because the papers attacked Hamas and never mentioned its achievements in Gaza.
EF vehicles took them to the police station where their car keys and mobile phones mobiles were seized.
At the station, an EF executive asked the distributor of Al Ayyam paper about an article in which a Fatah leader attacks Hamas.
The distributors then inquired if they were detained, but the EF members told them they were not.
They were kept in for two hours and released with apologies.
Al Mezan strongly condemns the conduct of the EF, which represents a limitation on the freedom of expression, and a violation of human rights, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights.
It also violates the Palestinian Press Law.
Simultaneously, Al Mezan reiterates its condemnation of the continued restriction of distributing the Gaza-based newspapers, Al Ressala and Palestine, in the West Bank since 14/ 7/2007.
This, equally, represents a violation of the right to freedom of expression; including freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas.
It also represents a breach of Palestinian law.
Al Mezan asserts its condemnation of all acts that undermine the freedom of the press or infringe upon the right to freedom of expression.
It calls on Hamas and the EF to promptly investigate the aforementioned incident.
It also calls on President Mahmoud Abbas and the Minister of Information Riyadh El Maliki to take immediate action to ensure the regular distribution of Al Ressala and Palestine newspapers in the West Bank.
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