A/HRC/15/51 were arbitrarily detained for political reasons.32 The Palestinian Authority and the Gaza authorities maintain that detainees are not held on political grounds. 58. In paragraph 1974 (c) of its report, the Mission recommended that the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza authorities should continue to enable the free and independent operation of Palestinian non-governmental organizations, including human rights organizations, and of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights. 59. There is no indication that any action has been taken to implement the above recommendation. Repression of freedom of expression and attacks on civil society organizations have increased in Gaza; for example, on 24 May 2010, the Gaza authorities prevented the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights from convening an event to present its annual human rights report.33 In the West Bank, assaults on freedom of expression have escalated. In April 2010, Palestinian authorities in the West Bank shut down 10 television and radio stations. The Palestinian Authority has demanded that the remaining outlets pay exorbitant licensing fees, or face closure.34 More recently, authorities in Gaza and the West Bank imposed restrictions on the publication and distribution of the newspapers al-Quds, al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida in Gaza, and al-Resala and Palestine in the West Bank.35 H. Action by the international community 60. Paragraph 1975 of the Mission’s report contains five recommendations addressed to a range of actors and partners in the international community. 61. In paragraph 1975 (a) of its report, the Mission recommended that the States parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 should start criminal investigations in national courts, using universal jurisdiction, where there is sufficient evidence of the commission of grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Where so warranted following investigations, alleged perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with internationally recognized standards of justice. 62. According to media reports, on 23 June 2010, an indictment was filed in Belgium against various Israeli Government officials for the commission of possible war crimes during Operation Cast Lead;36 on 12 July 2010, a group of lawyers filed a complaint with a Moroccan prosecutor seeking the arrest of several high-ranking Israeli Government officials in relation to their involvement in Operation Cast Lead.37 63. In paragraph 1975 (b) of its report, the Mission recommended that international aid providers should step up financial and technical assistance for organizations providing psychological support and mental health services to the Palestinian population. 32 33 34 35 36 37 Information provided by the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights. See “Al-Haq condemns recent attacks on civil society organizations in the Gaza Strip”, Al-Haq press release, 26 May 2010. For more information on the situation of civil society in Gaza, see also “UNRWA strongly condemns second attack on Summer Games locations”, UNRWA press release, available at www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=723. See Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, press release, 12 July 2010. See also “Journalists under pressure: experiences from the frontline”, Valentina Al-Ama, Ma'an Network, International Conference on Freedom of Information: the Right to Know, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Brisbane, Australia, 2 May 2010. Ibid. See for example “Belgian indictment against Barak, Livni”, Jerusalem Post, 23 June 2010. “Morocco looks to arrest Cast Lead architects”, Daily Star, 13 July 2010. 13