25 March 2019

 

Having defended her in court, the ICHR views favourably the acquittal of Journalist Harb

 

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) views favourably the judgement rendered by the Gaza Court of Conciliation, exonerating Hajar Harb, a journalist, from the charges imputed to her on grounds of an investigative report she published on 25 June 2018. The report investigated suspicions of corruption in patient transfers in the Gaza Strip.

Chaired by Judge Hamdi Shahin, the court session was held on Monday morning, 25 March 2019, at the Justice Palace in the Gaza city. The court panel acquitted Harb from the charges of defamation; release of false news; lack of precision, integrity and objectivity; publication of information that could cause animosity, and impersonation.

Through its Advocates Jamil Sarhan, ICHR Deputy Director General, and Bakr al-Turkmani, Coordinator of Complaints and Investigations at the ICHR Gaza Office, on 17 September 2017, the ICHR filed a challenge to set aside the default judgement entered on the conviction of Harb. In their capacity as her attorneys, the ICHR advocates defended Harb in several court sessions. On 21 March 2019, they filed a final pleading, requesting that the court exonerate Harb.

The ICHR affirms its rejection and denouncement of prosecuting journalists on the basis of their professional activity and right to freedom of expression. The ICHR also calls on the Public Prosecution in the Gaza Strip to put on trial persons found to be engaged in corrupt practices, and provide protection to whistleblowers, particularly journalists. Media representatives may not be prosecuted.