UN experts have condemned the arrest of a pro-Palestinian American journalist in Switzerland Reuters
GENEVA – UN human rights experts and activists condemned the arrest of an American pro-Palestinian journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich on Sunday, saying it raises concerns about freedom of speech.
Ali Abunimah, the executive director of the online publication Electronic Intifada, which calls itself a “Palestinian weapon of mass education,” was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday afternoon ahead of a speech in Zurich, the organization said in a statement.
Swiss police confirmed the 53-year-old American had been arrested, citing an entry ban, and said further measures under immigration law were being considered.
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of thought and expression Irene Khan called it “shocking news” and called on Switzerland to investigate and release him in a post on X.
“The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic and we should all be concerned,” said Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories.
Pro-Palestinian advocacy group Swiss Action (WA:) for Human Rights launched a petition for Abunimah’s release on Sunday. The US mission in Bern was not immediately available for comment.
