The ICHR Calls on the Government to Reverse the Decision to Suspend Al Jazeera Broadcasts

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) has called on the Palestinian government to reverse the decision issued by the tripartite ministerial committee responsible for licensing terrestrial and satellite radio and television stations. The decision involves suspending Al Jazeera’s broadcasts and freezing all its activities in Palestine, including the operations of its office and its journalists and staff.

In a formal appeal to Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, the ICHR urged the government to reconsider the decision within the framework of the Basic Law and Palestine's obligations under international human rights agreements. The ICHR emphasized that protecting media freedoms is a cornerstone of the Palestinian democratic system, as stipulated in Article 27/3 of the Palestinian Basic Law which states: "Censorship of the media is prohibited, and they may not be warned, suspended, confiscated, canceled, or restricted except by the law and by a judicial ruling."