A/HRC/43/51/Add.3
included in the reports of the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, alongside public comments
by State officials.
672. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the detailed Government’s response to his
communication dated 31 May 2019 but regrets that it failed to specify what is meant by “antiIsrael delegitimization” and the “delegitimization of the State of Israel” as it is used in the
above-mentioned State publications. He also regrets that the Government did not address the
concerns about the reported intimidation against a Palestinian human rights organisation
during the 40th session of the Human Rights Council.
673. Similar concerns were raised by the Special Rapporteur with regards to the case of
Mr. Hagai El-Ad, who was reportedly subjected to denunciatory statements by high-level
public officials following his statement delivered at the UN Security Council, concerning the
expansion of settlements and the deteriorating human rights situation for Palestinians living
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Special Rapporteur is also seriously concerned
about the harassment of another member of B’Tselem, Ms. Manal Al-Ja’bri, who has faced
gender-based violence and has been threatened with judicial action.
674. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur remains seriously concerned about the smear
campaign against human rights organisations Al-Haq and Al Mezan, and at the defamatory
comments and death threats made against Al-Haq’s General Director, Mr. Shawan Jabarin.
Further concern is expressed at the alleged lack of action by the Ministry of Strategic Affairs
and Public Diplomacy in the context of the hateful comments containing death threats,
published on the Facebook page of the Ministry’s media outlet. The Special Rapporteur is
also concerned about the continued travel restrictions against Mr. Issam Younis, which
appear to be directly linked to his work as the Commissioner General of the Independent
Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) in Palestine.
675. With regards to the allegations raised in the communication dated 7 October 2019, the
Special Rapporteur is concerned about the raid conducted by Israeli Security Forces at the
office of the Palestinian organisation Addameer. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the
Government’s response on this case but regrets that it referred to a media article alleging that
an Addameer employee is a leader of a terrorist organisation, and did not impart any specific
information concerning the legal and factual motivations for the raid on Addameer, and how
such measures are compatible with international human rights norms and standards.
676. Finally, the Special Rapporteur is concerned about the arrest and detention of Sheikh
Sayah Abu Madhi’m al-Turi, which is reportedly linked to his advocacy and work on
Bedouin land claims in al-ʿArāgīb and the currently unrecognised Bedouin village in that
region.
Jordan
677.
JAL 15/10/2019
Case no: JOR 1/2019
State reply: none to date
Information received concerning Mr. Abed al Karem Al-Shraideh, who was
arrested and detained on 2 September 2019, and who is presently on bail pending an
investigation, for allegedly criticizing Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein in a
video posted to Facebook.
678. The Special Rapporteur regrets that no reply was received from the Government of
Jordan to his communication sent 15 October 2019. He emphasises that cooperation with
Special Procedures mandates is an effective and useful means to promote and protect human
rights in Jordan.
679. The Special Rapporteur is concerned by lack of an enabling environment of freedom
of expression in Jordan. Lawyer and human rights defender M. Abed al Karem Al-Shraideh
faced charges of “defamation” and “insult against His Majesty the King” for criticising the
Government in a video posted to Facebook. Mr. Al-Shraideh was critical of the King’s
alleged interference in tribal affairs as well as alleged corruption in the country. The Special
Rapporteur is deeply concerned that Mr Al-Shraideh is being targeted for exercising his right
92
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