Doha, Qatar: Qatar Press Center (QPC) has expressed its deep concern over the fate of Palestinian journalists detained in Israeli prisons, following the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a draft law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners, in a move that represents a dangerous escalation and a grave violation of all international charters.
The Center, in a statement, warned of the catastrophic repercussions of this legislation, especially in light of the escalating violations against Palestinian journalists. It said that the number of detainees among them has risen since October 7, 2023, to 60 male and female journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists report issued on February 21. This report documented their exposure to severe assaults, including beatings, starvation, and humiliating violations, including sexual violence, which raises real fears of them being targeted under this law and places their lives in direct danger.
The Center emphasised that this legislation opens the door to the liquidation of detained journalists under a false legal cover, in blatant violation of press freedom and human rights.
It also represents a dangerous precedent that threatens the foundations of international law and reflects an approach based on undermining justice and legislating extrajudicial killing.
The Center called on the international community and human rights organisations to take urgent and decisive action to stop this violation, to pressure for the reversal of this unjust law, and to ensure the protection of imprisoned journalists, renewing its full solidarity with the Palestinian people and its support for their legitimate rights to freedom and dignity.
