Press House Annual Award 2019
Speech TJU
It is with great pride that I would like to mention that Switzerland has supported the Press House since its establishment in 2013.
And it is remarkable how the Press House has developed and progressed as an institution since then.
Over the past few years, the Press House has become a widely-recognized training center, work place and safe haven for young and independent journalist in Gaza and the West Bank. Its news site “Sawa” is already Number 2 in Palestine.
This development is particularly outstanding as it took place against the background of an increasingly difficult political, social and economic environment in Gaza.
In this context, I would like to reaffirm Switzerland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in the OPT, including in Gaza. We are very concerned about the shrinking space for the civil society and human rights defenders in Gaza and the West Bank, resulting from the prolonged Israeli military occupation, but also from the Palestinian political division and the lack of democratic space in the West Bank and Gaza.
Everywhere in the world, independent journalism is essential for promoting and protecting human rights and a corner stone of any democratic and free society. Everywhere in the world, unfortunately, freedom of press is under pressure, including in Europe, where journalists are impeded to carry out their work. This is also the reality in Westbank and Gaza.
For this reason and despite the negative trends of the past months and years, I highly value the fact that this award ceremony can take place here today in Gaza City and that it will honor journalists who devote their efforts to shed light on sensitive and crucial issues such as human rights, democracy and national unity.
It is the courageous work of the journalists and human rights defenders present here today that contribute to nurturing the public debate and to maintaining the hope for a better future in the OPT, and specifically in Gaza.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for your kind attention.
