The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has expressed serious concern over the violations committed against journalists in Gaza, especially the danger faced by journalists working for Al Jazeera TV channel, following gunshots fired on its bureau in the strip.
The bureau located on the 11th floor of Al-Jala building hosts offices of other local and foreign media outlets. The attack that took place on Tuesday resulted in smashed glass windows but no causalities.
“Within the context of these developments that forced Al Jazeera staff and other media bureaus to evacuate their offices and stand outside the building amid the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza, DCMF condemns Israel’s attempt to gag any organisation or person disseminating the reality of the crimes committed against the people of the Gaza Strip,” a statement issued by the centre said.
“The calls and threats by (Israeli FM) Avigdor Lieberman -in which he threatened to target and shut down Al Jazeera - raise concern, expose the channel’s journalists to danger and encourage others to targeting and attacking them.
“Such conduct is contrary to the international law and conventions that guarantee the freedom and independence of media.
“DCMF reiterates its rejection of such calls and provocative threats issued by Lieberman, pointing out that the objective of these practices is to prevent Al Jazeera and its crew to carry out their duties and disseminate the news coming out of Gaza.
“Harming the safety of Al Jazeera’s crew is a blatant violation of all international laws and treaties that call for the protection of journalists working in conflict zones and guarantee the right to disseminate information and work independently and liberally,” DCMF said.
“The centre holds the Israeli government responsible for the safety of the journalists and media persons in Gaza and urges the withdrawal of Lieberman’s statements.
“DCMF urges legal measures to be taken against such crimes as well as the perpetrators and calls on all regional and international organisations to jointly work on protecting journalists that are subjected to horrible violations in Gaza.
“DCMF reiterates the necessity of impartiality when dealing with the media outlets and guaranteeing their right to disseminate and receive information, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The convention clearly states journalists and media outlets should not be targeted during wars or conflicts,” Dr Abdul Jalil al-Alami, DCMF chairman of the executive committee said.
Jazeera journalist
jailed in Egypt
to lodge appeal
Jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste will lodge an appeal against the conviction and seven-year sentence handed down by an Egyptian court, his family said yesterday.
Greste and two Al Jazeera colleagues—Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed—were jailed last month for defaming Egypt and aiding banned Islamists.
The case sparked a global outcry and demands for a presidential pardon amid claims it was a politically motivated trial.
Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he cannot consider a plea of clemency or a pardon until all legal proceedings have been concluded, and that includes an appeal.
“We intend to appeal the verdict through the formal channels of the Egyptian legal system,” his brother Mike announced.
“It wasn’t a decision that was made lightly,” he added, knowing an appeal could take months to make its way through the courts.
In a joint statement with imprisoned colleague Baher Mohamed, Peter Greste begged supporters around the world to continue fighting for him and other jailed journalists.
“As long as we remain behind bars, all of Egypt’s press works with the threat of imprisonment hanging over it, and the nation’s fledgling democracy wears a muzzle,” they wrote.
