A/HRC/18/49 G. Action by responsible Palestinian authorities 55. The Mission directed three recommendations to responsible Palestinian authorities in paragraph 1974 of its report. 56. In paragraph 1974 (a) of its report, the Mission recommended that the Palestinian Authority should issue clear instructions to security forces under its command to abide by human rights norms as enshrined in the Palestinian Basic Law and international instruments, ensure prompt and independent investigations of all allegations of serious human rights violations by security forces under its control, and end the resort to military justice to deal with cases involving civilians. 57. On 17 January 2011 the Palestinian Authority reportedly announced that civilians will no longer be tried by military courts.35 58. In paragraph 1974 (b) of its report, the Mission recommended that the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza authorities should release without delay all political detainees currently in their power and refrain from further arrests on political grounds and in violation of international human rights law. 59. OHCHR is not aware of any developments in this regard. 60. 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. 61. There is no indication that any action has been taken to implement the abovementioned recommendation. Repression of freedom of expression and attacks on civil society organizations continue in the West Bank and in Gaza. Palestinian security forces arrested a manager of a radio station on 15 November 2010, after the station reported on differences between the president of the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah Central Committee.36 Palestinian security forces also arrested a journalist working for al-Quds Press News Agency on charges of libel and slander against President Mahmoud Abbas.37 In October 2010 Hamas security forces shut down the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate;38 and on 30 November Hamas security forces shut down all offices of the Sharek Youth Forum, on the basis of allegations of “moral misconduct”.39 In March 2011 Hamas security forces attacked journalists, including women, covering peaceful demonstrations, including 35 36 37 38 39 See Al-Haq, “Palestinian General Intelligence: civilians will be no longer tried in military courts”, 17 January 2011. Available from www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=566. Reporters without Borders, “Political divisions make reporting nearly impossible for journalists”, 22 November 2010. International Freedom of Expression Exchange, “MADA calls for immediate release of journalist Mamdouh Hamamreh”, 22 October 2010. International Freedom of Expression Exchange, “Hamas shuts down journalist union”, 20 October 2010. Statement by Maxwell Gaylard, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian Territory on the Dissolution of Sharek Youth Forum in the Gaza Strip, 20 July 2011. Available from unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.nsf/47D4E277B48D9D3685256DDC00612265/FF5418A04E3A84428525 78D30052968B; see also Palestine Monitor, “Sharek Youth Forum closed in Gaza”, December 2010. Available from www.sharek.ps/gaza-press-1. 13