Palestinian Authority detains moderate journalist for violations of vague press laws

The Palestinian Authority has detained Ma’an news network editorial board member and educator, Saleem Younis Swaidan for slander/libel. He is in administration detention. According to Prof. Mohommed Dajani’s Facebook post, “…was arrested by Palestinian Authority security forces on Sunday Sweidan. He was falsely accused of reporting on Ma’an’s television network that PA officials were involved in the arrest of the Hamas operatives which led to the arrest of the gunmen suspected of killing of Eitam and Na’ama Henkin on a West Bank roadway last October.”

1995 Palestinian Press and Publication Law includes many human rights violations like vague restrictions described as contradicting Palestinian identity and nationality, certain financial and educational requirements for reporters and publishers and other vague restrictions. All violations against the PPPL result in detention or incarceration, another human rights violation.

Read a more detailed report by MadaCenter HERE