REFÎF ÎSLÎM

Gaza – Many people took to the streets of Ramallah to protest the killing of Palestinian activist Nizar Banat in custody. Police attacks on protesters and journalists covering the protests sparks criticism in the country. Activist Reham Al Maqadam spoke to our news agency JINHA about the violence of police officers targeting journalists, particularly women.

Activist Reham Al Maqadam joined only one of the protests that took place in many cities of the country. She is one of the 27 protesters facing violence during the protests. She told us that police seized the cameras and mobile phones of protesters.

Activists are still waiting for an answer!

Activists are still waiting for an answer from the President regarding the murder of activist Nizar Banat despite all the pressures they faced. The activists demand the results of the investigation to be announced. The tension of the protests was quite high, people were angry but the protests were peaceful protests.  The police officers in plain clothes were among protesters to easily attack the protesters. It was an illegal attitude and we do not accept it. We call on the government once again to immediately explain this,” Reham Al Maqadam said.

Journalists covering the protests became the target of police brutality

Not only protesters but also journalists covering the protests became the target of police brutality, Reham Al Maqadam said, “Even journalists, who showed their official and international press cards, became the target of police brutality, their cameras were broken. After the police attack on them, many Palestinian journalists burned their press cards. Even some press outlets decide to not cover press conferences of the Palestinian government.”

Journalists demand the government to make an official statement

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) made a written statement about police brutality against journalists and it demanded the government to make an official statement and to apologize to journalists.