The United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process yesterday criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s recent decision to block a number of websites and social media platforms.
Nickolay Mladenov told reporters that he was “disturbed” by the Ramallah court decision on October 17 to block 50 Palestinian and Arabic websites, as well as the social network Facebook.
The Palestinian Authority must immediately reverse its plans, announced on Monday, to block the Web sites and social media pages of 59 Palestinian and Arab news sources. #الحجب_جريمة #BlockingIsACrime https://t.co/mEkxxBHiUg
— Al-Awda NY (@AlAwda) October 23, 2019
Mladenov said:
“The fundamental right of freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the freedoms associated with free access to information, are of utter importance and must be protected”.
Earlier this month, the PA’s attorney general issued a verdict to block 59 Arabic and Palestinian websites, accusing the social platforms of spreading criticism against the PA officials.
59 Palestinians news sites and social media pages have been blocked a court under the order of the Palestinian Authority because said pages were critical of Mahmood Abbas and the PA leadership. pic.twitter.com/yBM7JCr85P
— The IMEU (@theIMEU) October 22, 2019
Headed by judge Mohammed Hussein, the court’s decision claimed that such sites which publish pictures and articles threaten Palestinian national security and civil peace, as well as disrupt public order and morals, and arouse Palestinian public opinion.
(Middle East Monitor, PC, Social Media)
