Western nations have been increasingly cracking down on pro-Palestine voices since the start of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza
UN human rights experts have strongly condemned the arrest of Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah by Swiss police on 25 January, saying that freedom of speech in Europe is “becoming increasingly toxic.”
“Shocking news! Switzerland is a member of Freedom Online Coalition! I urge [Bern] to urgently investigate and release [Abunimah],” UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan said via social media.
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, issued a similar statement, calling on Swiss authorities to conduct “a prompt investigation into this matter.”
Pro-Palestinian advocacy group Swiss Action for Human Rights launched a petition on Sunday to release Abunimah.
Abunimah, the executive director of Electronic Intifada (EI), was arrested a day after he arrived in Zurich for a speaking tour.
“When he arrived at Zurich airport on Friday, Abunimah was questioned by police for an hour before being allowed to enter the country. Abunimah’s arrest appears to be part of a growing backlash from western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people,” EI said in a statement posted on its website.
“The Electronic Intifada team stands in solidarity with Ali Abunimah. Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime.”
Since the start of the US–Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, western nations have repeatedly persecuted journalists and activists who stand in support of Palestine.
In October, UK counterterrorism police raided the home and seized several electronic devices of EI associate editor Asa Winstanley for social media posts allegedly “encouraging terrorism.” Winstanley has yet to be charged with any crime.
UK counterterrorism police also raided the home of Palestine solidary activist Sarah Wilkinson and detained pro-Palestinian journalists Vanessa Beeley, Kit Klarenberg, and Richard Medhurst upon arrival at Heathrow airport.
🔗SOURCE ➡️ The Cradle
Related: 1/31 — Swiss Security Official Who Jailed And Smeared Ali Abunimah is a fanatical pro-Israel activist
1/26- Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah was arrested by Swiss cops before a speaking event in Zurich today, and is now detained
1/26 — Richard Medhurst: The Police Are (again) Seeking To Extend Their "Terrorism" Investigation Against Me By Another 3 Months, Til May 2025 At Least.
10/17/24- 🚨👮🏼♂️🇬🇧🇮🇱 UK Police Raid Home, Seize Devices of EI’s Asa Winstanley — Electronic Intifada [EI]
8/29 — UK Charges Palestine Action Co-Founder Under Terrorism Act In Latest Attack On Free Speech
8/29 — Human Rights Activist Sarah Wilkinson Arrested By UK Police
Her arrest follows the detention of Syrian-British journalist Richard Medhurst in London and Telegram founder Pavel Durov in Paris
8/20— Richard Medhurst: I was arrested at Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act, Sec 12 because of my reporting.
8/20 — UK Police Arrest Journalist Richard Medhurst Under ‘Terrorism Act’
Follow us on Minds / X / Substack
Boost This Channel
Follow ➡️ @PsyopDaily
