AOHR-London:
Press Release
25th March 08
The AOHR condemns the unbefitting
treatment, which Basem Al Masri The Executive Director for “Jerusalem as Arab
culture capital” has received at the hands of armed Israeli civilians
[settlers] and security forces in occupied East Jerusalem leading to his
arrest.
“The launch staged today by the
organisers of the Jerusalem as Arab culture capital in East Jerusalem, had
lead to an unprovoked reaction/intervention by the Israeli security forces
culminating in the unlawful arrest and detention of the event’s executive
director, Basem Al Masri . The event was a peaceful one organized mainly by
Palestinian and Arab academics, actors and artists aiming to express their
literate work”.
“The AOHR is concerned as East
Jerusalem is part of the territories occupied by Israel in 1967 and forms part
of the territory currently the subject of peace negotiations . Its annexation
by Israel is unlawful and is not recognized by the United Nations or the
International community.
The Palestinian residents of East
Jerusalem are accordingly entitled to their basic Human Rights including inter
alia the right of freedom of expression . The actions by the Israeli Police
and security forces is a stark violation of such right”.
The AOHR calls for the immediate
release of Basem Al Masri, and for Israel to respect the rights of the
Palestinian population of East Jerusalem and their choice to organize without
hindrance national and cultural events in their occupied city.
AOHR-London
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