UN experts decry arrest of pro-Palestinian journalist

27/1/2025 6:06

U.N. human rights experts and activists

condemned on Sunday the arrest of an American, pro-Palestinian

journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich, saying it raised

concerns about freedom of speech.



Ali Abunimah, the executive director of online publication

Electronic Intifada - which calls itself "Palestine's weapon of

mass instruction" - was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday

ahead of a speech in Zurich, the organisation said in a

statement.



Swiss police confirmed that a 53-year-old American had been

arrested, citing an entry ban, and said further measures under

its immigration law were being considered.



The U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and

expression, Irene Khan, called the arrest "shocking news" and

urged Switzerland to investigate and release him in a post on

the X social media platform.



"The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is

becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned,"

said Francesca Albanese, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights

in the occupied territories.



Pro-Palestinian advocacy group Swiss Action for Human Rights

launched a petition to release Abunimah on Sunday.



A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Bern said it was

providing appropriate consular assistance after seeing reports

of the arrest of a U.S. citizen, declining further comment.