The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) has reaffirmed its support for Palestinian media, calling for urgent international and regional action to protect Palestinian journalists and ensure their safety amid ongoing violations.
In a statement marking the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists, observed annually on May 11, the QPC stressed the importance of standing in solidarity with Palestinian journalists who continue to report the truth despite direct targeting, persecution, restrictions and the destruction of media institutions.
The QPC said the escalating violations against Palestinian journalists and media organisations represent a grave breach of international laws and conventions related to press freedom and human rights.
It noted that the Palestinian territories have become among the world’s most dangerous areas for journalists because of systematic attacks on media professionals.
The Qatar Press Centre urged the international community, as well as media and human rights organisations, to fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities by taking immediate action to stop violations against Palestinian journalists and uphold press freedom in line with international humanitarian conventions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The QPC stressed that a free and professional press remains essential in uncovering the truth, defending people’s rights, and objectively and professionally conveying civilians’ suffering to the world.
The centre also renewed its call for the immediate release of journalist Mohammed Arab and all detained journalists, stressing the need to end arbitrary arrests and ensure protection for media professionals.
According to the QPC, 262 journalists, including 38 women, have been killed during the Israeli war on Gaza, while 45 journalists, including 22 women, remain detained by Israeli occupation authorities.
It described these actions as blatant violations of international laws that guarantee press freedom and protect journalists carrying out their professional duties.
The QPC further called for serious and effective international pressure to halt the crimes in Gaza and provide urgent protection for journalists and media workers so they can carry out their humanitarian and professional responsibilities safely and freely.
