A/HRC/37/42 later, as a result of pressure brought to bear by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. They were reportedly interrogated about the publication of information that fell under the broad scope of the cybercrime law and that could affect the security of the Palestinian Authority. However, no indictment was issued against them. Interviewed by OHCHR, the journalists believe their arrest was linked to the political divide between the West Bank and Gaza and to the arrest of a journalist in Gaza as described in the next paragraph. 82 53. A Palestinian television reporter was arrested by the internal security agency in Gaza on 16 June, on allegations of collaboration with the Palestinian Authority. His detention for almost two months, as extended by the military prosecuting authority, was not based on any judicial order. He was denied access to a legal representative within the detention facility and first met his lawyer in court one month after his arrest. He was eventually released on $200 bail on 13 August 2017. There were also concerns that he had been subjected to illtreatment during his detention. 54. After the Gaza authorities announced, on 24 April 2017, that they would take measures against individuals and institutions circulating rumours, a journalist from Gaza City was arrested on 25 April and detained until the next day for allegedly circulating fake information and rumours in the Palestinian media. He was released after undertaking in writing not to undermine law and order by spreading rumours. He also published a corrigendum and apologized to his readers. 3. Political affiliation 55. Palestinian civil society leaders Khalida Jarrar and Khitam Saafin were arrested by the Israeli Security Forces on 2 July 2017, during night raids on their homes, for their alleged membership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a claim that both women deny. Ms. Saafin is the president of the union of Palestinian women’s committees, an organization that works for the community-based economic and social development of women in the West Bank and Gaza. Ms. Jarrar is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and an outspoken critic of the Israeli occupation. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Addameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association and of a national Palestinian committee for the follow-up with the International Criminal Court. Neither the detainees, nor their lawyers, have had access to the material against them, which is being held secret by the court. Ms. Saafin was released on 2 October 2017, after completing a three-month administrative detention order, Ms. Jarrar’s six-month detention order expires on 1 January 2018.83 56. On 9 March 2017, Samira Halayqa, another Palestinian Legislative Council member, was arrested by the Israeli Security Forces during a night raid. Transferred to Ofer Prison, she was reportedly interrogated regarding her alleged affiliation to Hamas during the 2006 election and her political opinions as expressed on social media. She was charged with incitement and participation in activities organized by Hamas. She rejected those charges, which, according to her, were related to her involvement in legitimate activities, such as participation in peaceful gatherings calling for the respect of Palestinians’ rights. The court ordered her release twice for lack of evidence. It was only after a third order that she was eventually released on bail on 9 May 2017. At the time of writing, hearings relating to Ms. Halayqa’s case were ongoing. There are concerns that she was ill-treated during her arrest and detention and denied proper medication. 57. In the West Bank, there are concerns about the Palestinian authorities arresting individuals who oppose their policies. On 31 August 2017, Wahid Abu Mariya, known for his opposition to the Palestinian Authority, was arrested by the joint Palestinian security forces — on the orders of the Preventive Security Services — at his home in the Hebron 82 83 See A/HRC/37/38, para. 60, for summary of another case of possible arbitrary detention of a journalist. Ms. Jarrar was detained for 14 months between 2015 and 2016, as she was facing trial for alleged membership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The decision of the military court to release her on bail was reversed following an appeal by the prosecution. She was released in June 2016 after accepting a plea bargain; see also Working Group opinion No. 15/2016. 13