UN experts slam Palestinian journalist Ali Abunimah’s arrest in Switzerland

The arrest of a prominent Palestinian journalist in Zurich, Switzerland, has been condemned by UN human rights activists who claim it raised questions about freedom of expression.

According to a statement from the website, Swiss police detained Ali Abunimah, the executive director of the online publication Electronic Intifada, which refers to itself as “Palestine’s weapon of mass instruction.”

Swiss police confirmed that the 53-year-old American citizen had been arrested. They cited a ban on entry and claimed that additional immigration laws were being discussed.

Irene Khan, the UN’s special representative for freedom of expression and expression, referred to the arrest as “shocking news” and pleaded with Switzerland to look into and release him in a post on Sunday’s X social media platform.

“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.

I feel shocked and call for a prompt investigation into this issue. We should all be concerned about the climate in Europe that is causing more harm than good. https://t.co/1KE9maAsgY

On Sunday, Swiss Action for Human Rights, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, signed a petition requesting Abunimah’s release.

After reviewing reports of a US citizen’s arrest, a representative for the US embassy in Bern said it was providing appropriate consular assistance. She declined to comment further.

Abunimah’s arrest came a day after he arrived in Zurich for a speaking tour, Electronic Intifada said in a statement.

“He is currently being detained and has had access to legal counsel”, it said on Saturday. Abunimah was questioned by police for an hour when he arrived at the Zurich airport on Friday before being permitted into the country.

Describing the arrest as a “growing backlash from Western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people”, the website noted that several activists and journalists&nbsp, were arrested, raided or charged using “counterterror” powers in the United Kingdom last year.

They included Asa Winstanley, an associate editor with Electronic Intifada, whose home was raided and computers and phones seized, it said, adding that Winstanley has not been charged with any crime.

It is illegal to speak out against injustice in Palestine. Journalism is not a crime”, the website said.

During a solidarity protest for Palestine on Saturday in Geneva, demonstrators said Abunimah’s arrest “had no legal basis”.

“He is defamed by Zurich media”, one of the speakers said. “We have free speech in Switzerland. It is a constitutional right”, she said, calling the arrest “unacceptable”.