Gaza, 16/08/2017--- In cooperation with Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Press House-Palestine organized a meeting about the Electronic Crimes Law.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Tahseen Al-Astal, Deputy Head of Journalists Syndicate, and Belal Jadallah, Head of Press House, Baker Al-Turkmany, Lawyer for Independent Commission for Human Rights, Bassam Darwish member of the Secretariat as well as a pile of journalists and writers.
Belal Jadallah thanked the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate for this cooperation, which is considered as one of its kind.
Jadallah added that he hopes this meeting leads to results that decrease the violations committed against the journalists, and continue cooperation among legal and journalistic organizations to stop these violations.
In his turn, Dr.Tahseen Al-Astal stated that Palestine witnessed arrests for many journalists in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
He also said that he refused to talk about " bargain" when it's about the Palestinians.
He confirmed his refusal for the " Electronic Crimes Law", saying; " we have notices about issuing this law as it touches the general freedoms and the journalistic freedoms especially article 20."
He stressed that " freedom of Journalism will never give up this right."
In his turn, the lawyer Baker Al-Turkmany said that issuing this law resulted from political dispute and division, which is clear in the articles of the law."
He explained that based on the legal conditions and procedures, issuing this law is in the Palestinian issues magazine and is implemented 30 days after issuing it. However, it was applied before publication.
He added; " legally, this law with new terms gets us back to 1995 for print and publication."
Al-Turkmany stated that the general security and country security without clear definitions is something not legal as everyone applies as they like.
In his turn, the writer Tawfiq Abu Shomar said that the issue is national rather than legal, as the two parties of the division commit violations against the rights of journalists.
He also clarified that the secrete meetings are not allowed to be published .
In his turn, Dr.Ibrahim Zaqout stated that the number of violations committed against journalists obligates to interfere to stop them.
The discussion door was opened for the audience to ask and express their perspectives.
The attendees unanimously agreed to rethink of the law that consists of materials that need explanation, calling everyone to cooperate to do something for freedom of expression.
