Palestinian Human Rights Defender Arrested for a Facebook Post

Fatafta, Marwa
http://globalvoices.org/2017/09/08/palestinian-human-rights-defender-arrested-for-a-facebook-post/
Date Written:  2017-09-08
Publisher:  Global Voices
Year Published:  2017
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21411

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is continuing its crackdown on free speech in the West Bank, this time arresting prominent Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro for criticizing a journalist's arrest in a Facebook post.

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Issa Amro, who is based in the West Bank city of Hebron, is the coordinator and co-founder of the grassroots organization Youth Against Settlements, which documents human rights violations committed by Israeli military and settlers. He is a recognized human rights defender by the European Union and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

As one of the more prominent Palestinian advocates for non-violent resistance, Amro also faces legal challenges from the Israeli government. In a separate case before an Israeli military court, he is facing 18 charges, including disputed charges of incitement to violence, stemming from his political protest activities. His trial began on September 3, but was immediately adjourned to October 22. UN human rights experts, Amnesty International and multiple US legislators have condemned the charges against Amro.

According to Amro's brother, he was summoned by the Palestinian Preventive Security Forces on the morning of 4 September and officials then interrogated him over a Facebook post, in which Amro had criticized the PA for arresting journalist Ayman Qawasmi the day before.
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