Palestinian Authority criticized for arresting opposition activist
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at a press conference in Ramallah on November 11, 2019 (Illustration).
AP Photo / Majdi Mohammed
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In the West Bank, the arrest in recent days of a political activist very critical of government policy has been denounced.
Nizar Banat had criticized on social networks the resumption of cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
An attack on the Palestinian government.
He was finally released on Tuesday, after two judgments in his favor and the intervention of diplomats.
Publicity
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Guilhem Delteil
This video was posted on Facebook on Wednesday November 18th.
Nizar Banat, a political activist living in Hebron, attacks the Minister of Civil Affairs after he announced the resumption of cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, presenting it as a victory for the Palestinians.
Ten minutes long, it was shared 1,500 times and was not to the liking of the Palestinian Authority.
Nizar Banat, already arrested several times, was arrested two days after posting it online and imprisoned in Jericho prison, which has a reputation for inflicting ill-treatment on detainees.
Monday, a judge of first instance had demanded his release but it was still delayed.
On Tuesday, a judge from another instance confirmed the judgment and European diplomats intervened in his favor.
The activist was finally released after more than four days of detention.
In a statement, the European Union delegation in Jerusalem said "
strongly oppose actions aimed at limiting the space in which civil society and the media can operate
."
It reminds the Palestinian Authority that respect for human rights is its responsibility in the territories it controls.
The Palestinian government is regularly accused of authoritarian drift.
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Palestinian territories
Mahmoud Abbas
Justice